Cycling UK Forum

Mark1978 wrote:
I've often joked it's worth putting my bike in the boot just to show up with it and claim free cake

Yes, given the prices in their cafes! My wife and I now perversely find enjoyment by being ripped off by NT cafes - if we haven't paid over a tenner for one small sandwich and one drink we feel that we've not had the proper NT experience, and we keep a league table of rip-offs to see which has been most brazen during the year. N.T. trying to shake of its middle class bias....ha ha.

I'm assuming that you have to actually pay for entry (if a non member) to said property to be given the free tea?

I know what you mean about the National Trust Si.

I was a member for several years though then left over their less than clear position on fox hunting.

And now and again they can be a bit snotty. I well remember (and as a member) being in Lindisfarne "castle" - ablsolutely desperate for a pee and it's a long way back down the "island" to another toilet - I asked the ever so nice spoken lady behind the desk if I could use a toilet. In a very grand manner she said "this is a medieval castle - they didn't have toilets" - absolute rot of course - any non brain dead visitor knew that the place had been substantially remodelled by a publishing magnate - I rather doubt that the NT ladies went behind a bush/crouched on the rocks as the sea thundered over them.

Sweep wrote:I'm assuming that you have to actually pay for entry (if a non member) to said property to be given the free tea?

Yes; but if you are a member it's not an issue

And now and again they can be a bit snotty. I well remember (and as a member) being in Lindisfarne "castle" - ablsolutely desperate for a pee and it's a long way back down the "island" to another toilet - I asked the ever so nice spoken lady behind the desk if I could use a toilet. In a very grand manner she said "this is a medieval castle - they didn't have toilets" - absolute rot of course - any non brain dead visitor knew that the place had been substantially remodelled by a publishing magnate - I rather doubt that the NT ladies went behind a bush/crouched on the rocks as the sea thundered over them.

Sure; toilets have to be provided for staff but it's understandable if they don't want to let 'customers' use them/it. As you say there's a big toilet block in the coach park.

NT volunteer staff can be quite interesting. Some of the older ones, men especially, do seem to object to having the wrong sort of people in 'their' houses. Unfortunately I appear to be the wrong sort of person, and often get some old chap following me around his post, always positioning himself where he can see me but not actually talking to me. Alas for them every now and then I decide to have some fun with them.....having worked in museums full time rather than just being a part time volunteer, and having done research on the periods that some of their properties represent, I can ask some annoying questions and point out the errors in their interpretations ....all good fun and they soon find a reason to retreat to another room and leave me alone.

On the other hand others are real 'people-persons' and are only too happy to have a friendly chat, thus making the experience enjoyable for all. Indeed, when I used to work on post, if I thought that there was a dodgy character in there I would engagement them in friendly chat about the museum/historic house, etc.....this is a much easier way to keep an eye on them without causing offence.

Also, if it's a place where they have radios listen out for strange phrases (that might sound like they come from the encoded messages in "ello, ello", e.g. "101 up the orange") - these will probably be reports warning the person on the next post that an unsavoury character like yourself is about to enter their area!

Mark1978 wrote:
Sure; toilets have to be provided for staff but it's understandable if they don't want to let 'customers' use them/it. As you say there's a big toilet block in the coach park.

I totally understand that there might not be "public" mega toilets available, but I was desperate - any "normal reasonable" person would have said OK just as a human favour. And I am afraid you weren't there to witness the sheer plummy snobbishness of her tone. And her, to be frank, insulting my intelligence - maybe it was my northern accent that made her treat me as an ignorant oik.

It was a lng walk/trot back to the nearest public lavs - would have served her right if I'd taken her back to ye olde quaintee medieval period with a quick *** against the walls.

>>NT volunteer staff can be quite interesting. Some of the older ones, men especially, do seem to object to having the wrong sort of people in 'their' houses.

I know what you mean Si - I am sure only a minority are like this but it is maybe a type. I well remember turning up at a NT place just north of Guildford with my partner - just wanted to check out the gardens again as there are some wonderful old trees there. And we were members. We were maybe 5 mins before closing time or maybe a couple of mins after - walked in the gate of the not large garden - a guy who was struck me as the live-in caretaker or something was showing off the garden to some pals - his very body language gave off a whiff of lord of the manor. Told us it was closed even though he was there and we would only have been 5 or 10 mins. So we left. Noticed as we did that a sign on the gate clearly said "no dogs in the garden" though this toffee nosed *** had a large dog with him. Can't remember if I pointed this out as I left.

By the way, anyone know what the position is on cycling into Cliveden grounds? - I've driven up the gravel there maybe twice - would be nice to do it on a bike. I note that the grounds have a Canadian war cemetary - surely they can't charge to visit that?

Relevant: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1355809566545/

Coincidentally, we cycled to Dynevor Park in Llandeilo yesterday.
We "parked" the bicycles and went for a walk up to the castle.
On our return, we fancied a cuppa and cake.
On enquiring, we were told that the café is within the NT owned Newton House and that we would have to pay to enter the house, to enable us to pay for a drink.
We were then told that as we had cycled to the site, we would be charged the full admission price of £3.75.
Others were charged the reduced rate of £2.75. The reason was that they'd had to pay £6 to park their cars.

The receptionist asked if we were NT members and we replied that there weren't many "properties" where we live.
She said that it's not all about visiting properties but being able to enjoy the outdoors.
We can do that on our bikes without paying!!!

What did we do.......we cycled back to the town and enjoyed a wonderful lunch in a little café, where the toasted sandwiches, complete with salad garnish, coleslaw and crisps were on offer at the princely sum of £3.75.

Mark1978 wrote:Edit: I tell a lie, I know you can ride your bike around the Estate Drive at Cragside - but it would be a bad job if you couldn't since you can drive your car around it!

Not to mention the gradient!

Mark1978 wrote:Relevant: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1355809566545/

Not too sure how this answers my question to be honest.

Ayone ventured into the Cliveden grounds/woods on a bike?

Your post made me smile Fausto Copy.

Hopping back to Knole, I used to lead lots of rides for a group.

I once listed a ride due to go through Knole and maybe picnic there but knowing their odd attitude I think I just alluded to which fine park it was going to go through - no names, no pack drill, maybe I just said it was near Sevenoaks.

I got an email from someone saying "you can't cyce thorugh Knole!"

I thought it best to ignore the email and not get into a debate about the ins and outs in case someone would be lying in wait for us.

Needless to say we did get into the park - not through the main gate but another route - and if I told you folks about how I know about the other way in you maybe wouldn't believe me - and if you did I'd have to shoot you.

Got a lot of time for the NT but they do have the odd odd strand.