Pensthorpe Reviews Summary

Attractions and Landscape

Pros:

• "Beautiful gardens with an abundance of flora and fauna, trees, lakes and streams."
• "Fantastic outdoor and indoor play areas and great walking around the lakes with all the wildlife."
• "700 acres of beautiful landscape."
• "The well-maintained gardens and picturesque walking trails allow for a leisurely exploration of the grounds."
• "The gardens are absolutely stunning and the play area is second to none."
• "Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is a gem nestled in the heart of Norfolk."
• "The captivating array of birdlife, with well-maintained hides providing excellent vantage points for birdwatching."

Cons:

• "Some trails are not suitable for wheelchair users."
• "The paths could do with better signage."
• "It's just a park basically and u get over charged for it !!!!"
• "Expensive for what it is and the formal gardens were particularly disappointing."
• "Sorry to find red squirrels although still advertised as an attraction are now gone a backward step I feel we will miss them."
• "Total disappointment not been for many years we know they got bird flu but literally a few flamingos and a pair of cranes."
• "I was very disappointed this year as so much foliage has been allowed to grow both ends, which almost totally abliterates the views of many birds."

Value and Pricing

Pros:

• "I thought the entry price was good value considering the amount of upkeep it would need."
• "Good value with lots to do and see."
• "Good value for ticket price."
• "Excellent value for money, excellent place, staff were friendly and I cannot fault the place."
• "Annual membership is £60 which is very reasonable for what is available (plus 10% off in the shop)."
• "The children's outdoor play park is well worth a visit, the entrance fee is very acceptable."
• "We had a lovely full fun day great value for money."

Cons:

• "The only downside is its fairly expensive at £15 for an adult."
• "Is expensive for each person and there is a few of you it will add up."
• "It was awful weather went we visited so we weren't able to experience it at its best."
• "Intended to go into reserve but found the entrance fee to be exorbitantly high."
• "Only complaint is to walk around the park is expensive, but there is plenty of things for kids so would make a cheapish day out with kids."
• "Thought it was a bit overpriced but happy to pay for a days wandering and kids get to burn some energy."
• "Over all it was a lovely experience, but it's expensive. Too expensive I would say."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Cheery and polite staff everywhere and the place spotlessly clean."
• "The staff are very friendly, helpful and welcoming."
• "All staff very friendly and welcoming which I find makes a big difference."
• "The staff work tremendously hard ensuring the longevity and conservation of plants and animals."
• "All the staff we encountered were very friendly, professional and efficient."
• "Other members of staff were lovey and so welcoming and friendly so thankfully they made our visit much nicer towards the end."
• "Staff are friendly, services are clean and food was tasty."

Cons:

• "It was a nightmare. And when we been to car park we. We saw 3 staff members. They said someone had to have a look for us inside and that they will report it to the incharge staff next day morning."
• "We have our two rescue well behaved cavalier King Charles dogs, we came to visit, no indication that dogs were not allowed until reception where a very rude women at reception stated no dogs!"
• "Bad attitude. Wouldn’t let my 86 yr old mother in with her small dog for coffee."
• "The only problem we had was the brown haired lady with glasses on the admissions desk - she was seriously rude and unpleasant on arrival."
• "Unfortunately if you holiday with your dog then don't visit. It may have a lot to do, but our holiday includes our dog."
• "Should of raised my concerns there but doubt management would of been around to listen."
• "A lovely day out, but please make sure there is still food available from the menu by 12.45. Waited in a queue for twenty minutes to be informed that there was no soup and no chips available."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "The park is pushchair/wheelchair friendly allowing everyone to access some lovely walks, lakes, gardens and an abundance of wildlife."
• "There are plenty of wheelchair friendly trails and viewing huts!"
• "The views are spectacular with some great walks, a lot of which are wheelchair accessible."
• "We were able to hire a wheelchair and they have a selection of motorised and standard versions."
• "Many of the trails are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs alike."
• "Good facilities with, gift shop, cafe/restaurant and ample free parking."
• "Facilities are kept clean and there are hand sanitising stations dotted around the pathways and in the gift shop and cafés."

Cons:

• "DISABILITY WARNING: the wave line garden loop (blue line on map) has steps at the start of the loop."
• "The indoor play area was a bit small and stuffy and you only get an hour's slot."
• "Most of the external play area stuff is similar to that at High Lodge at Thetford Forest, but it's free there."
• "Most of the on site cafés and snack shacks were closed when we visited."
• "We didn't use the cafe as the queues were very long but bought a picnic."
• "Went in on a rainy day, it was difficult to find somewhere covered to have some lunch."
• "My bacon bap was warmed up and the chicken and ham slice was very small, also tiny cups of tea."