British Ironwork Centre Reviews Summary

Category: Visitor center

Address: Whitehall, Aston, Oswestry SY11 4JH, United Kingdom

Phone: +441691610952

Rating: 4.6
based on 337 reviews.

Sculptures

Pros:

  • "So many interesting sculptures! Beautiful 😍 we were lucky to see the Knife Angel and Gold gorilla;)"
  • "That so many sculptures, all iron-made made me surprised."
  • "He loved looking at all the sculptures, particular favourites were the dinosaurs and the gorilla's."
  • "We came here to see the Knife Angel sculpture - and this is amazing - but we also enjoyed seeing all the animal sculptures on a sort of metal safari."
  • "The sculptures are great to look at the food at the cafe was very nice and staff very polite."
  • "The sculptures are amazing and split into really thoughtful areas."
  • "The sculptures are amazing and I think we all agreed the gorilla was our favourite!"

Cons:

  • "Sculptures are interesting, but they don't mention when you arrive the £3 parking charge."
  • "The sculptures were amazingly crafted but we was expecting more of a variety and not just doom and gloom."
  • "All the items in the gift shop are extremely expensive 😕."
  • "The majority of the items they were selling didn't have a price tag on."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

  • "Also boasts best loo in Britain! I was very impressed 😊"
  • "The food as lovely and reasonably priced."
  • "The food was amazing, the people were lovely and items in the shop were reasonably priced."
  • "All staff were wonderful, food great."
  • "The food in the cafe is delicious and caters for all tastes (vegans included) and it's reasonably priced. The cakes are scrumptious."
  • "We had lunch from the cafe which was really nice."
  • "The cafe serves the nicest food and cakes. Great for anyone with dietary needs- so much selection of including gluten free and vegan cakes."

Cons:

  • "Having waited in the queue for food we were told after we had ordered we needed a table number - allocated one in the lean to outside as no availability inside - it was cold outside - then the food arrived... The beef burger itself was made with chewy mince meat and was cold."
  • "The entry prices were reasonable and range of statues were fun to look at however when we got to the cafe the prices were ridiculous."
  • "The food in restaurant was unexceptional and a tuna mayo sandwich costs £10.25 for supermarket bread and supermarket style tuna mayo sweetcorn filling."
  • "The chocolate cake was really dry."
  • "A cheese and tomato quiche which tasted of fish."
  • "The ice-cream is super and the coffee lovely the restricted jubilee menu needs improvement."
  • "Good place, but absolute rip off on a Saturday, to be charged £5, just to use the cafe, and then pay non-members prices once there."

Customer Service and Experience

Pros:

  • "The team were encouraging, kind, lovely to be around and taught me a lot."
  • "Prompt, courteous attention again all with a smile even though it was extremely busy today."
  • "Staff we friendly and helpful throughout our trip."
  • "Super helpful staff and amazing products."
  • "The staff in the cafe could not have been more helpful."
  • "The staff are absolutely wonderful, so helpful, it's an absolute pleasure to visit the place."
  • "Staff were so friendly and helpful and couldn't do enough for us."

Cons:

  • "The disappointing part was the customer service."
  • "Entered via a queue to main desk, paid and given wristband, walked to next door found another queue, got to front of that and told didn't need to be in it as already paid, no one explained, all very confusing."
  • "Customer relationships are the worst I have encountered in years."
  • "The lady on reception was really rude and said 'we're an attraction NOT a cafe!'"
  • "Only downside was lack of organisation in the cafe, no one knows where to queue, half the stuff was put of stock and they make you queue twice for ice cream for what seems like no reason at all."
  • "Was planning on taking a run out with multiple friends to go to their car meet, but it seems that they only want super cars. This has gone from a breakfast meet to a money making ploy. And their attitude on social media stinks."
  • "To pay for admission there are two desks, one outdoors from the main centre... So after ten minutes of queuing in chilly weather and needing to pay by card we were directed to wait in another area which also doubles as the exit and paying for goods area but cannot accommodate the queue of customers for any of this so you stand in the cold outside until the solitary staff member can take your fees."

Accessibility and Facilities

Pros:

  • "Fantastic outdoor space for the children to run around in the fresh air and explore."
  • "Fabulous relaxed day out for all the family. Disabled access to most area."
  • "Hubby is in a wheelchair and found it all very disable friendly and wheelchair accessible."
  • "The one way system was easy to use and I never felt worried about people being too close."
  • "It is all very accessible."
  • "Brand new toilets which were very clean."
  • "The staff so helpful, and the whole place is so clean."

Cons:

  • "The only fault I did find was the disabled toilets."
  • "One toilet door (with baby changing) wouldn't close at all, and the other was so stiff that I needed help to get out."
  • "Terrible access off a 60mph road."
  • "Very poorly signposted as to where the toilets are etc."
  • "The only downside when we visited was that the children's park area proved to be a touch overgrown so we couldn't use it but hopefully the owners will have rectified that by our next visit."
  • "Needs a few more signs to direct and help customers."
  • "Dogs are not allowed in shop or cafe - which you are guided through on entry."

Value and Pricing

Pros:

  • "Best of all children go free! So a family day out is affordable, well done British Ironwork Centre, 👏"
  • "Membership is worth it with the varying sculptures during the year, you also save 10% in the cafe etc."
  • "Great value for money as the £5 entrance fee is for a yearly ticket and includes discounts in cafe."
  • "Only £5 for year membership, staff are really friendly and food amazing."
  • "The membership is very cheap and well worth having we simply love it!!"
  • "Very reasonable price £5 for a day member or £7.50 for a year."
  • "What a fantastic place to visit with just a donation to enter 'absolute bargain'."

Cons:

  • "Have to pay £3 to park, to get in I think was £7 per adult and half that for kids so you can go shopping and eat in an overpriced cafe."
  • "NOT a cheap day out, some lovely art, some affordable items for the every day visitor but was in and out in just over an hour."
  • "Place is shocking, it just wants as much of your money as possible."
  • "Very expensive and not worth the money."
  • "Good place, but absolute rip off on a Saturday, to be charged £5, just to use the cafe, and then pay non-members prices once there."
  • "Called in on our way home, just wanted to use the cafe and have a look around the shop... to use the cafe you have to pay an entrance fee even if you don't want to look around the attraction."
  • "Park could use some swings, parking £3 all day, membership now £20 for a year use to be £3."

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