Holker Hall & Gardens Reviews Summary

House and Gardens

Pros:

• "This is a beautiful house and gardens, lots to see, rooms are able to be walked around with no barriers so you can get up close and really appreciate everything there is to see."
• "Absolutely gorgeous. The House and the Grounds."
• "The formal summer and elliptical gardens were just perfect, every direction you looked had a pretty view."
• "House and gardens are amazing."
• "The mostly Victorian house is very impressive with marble fireplaces, magnificent carved staircase, long gallery and beautiful furniture and art but it also has the feel of a well loved family home."
• "The gardens are stunning and kept well."
• "The gardens are beautiful, and well worth spending some time exploring."

Cons:

• "The rooms that are not used and just for show felt cold and uninviting compared to other places I have been to."
• "Wandered round the garden £9 each. Value for money - Not really."
• "However there is zero wheelchair access in the house itself as this is of course a home too."
• "Not informed when we paid for admission to the house and gardens that half the house was closed and gardens were closed."
• "Only the new 1800s section open as family live in old wing."
• "The water cascade wasn't operational at the time, looked like a bit of maintenance was happening."
• "Raining during our visit to the gardens. We did not visit the house."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff were very friendly and informative, as they told us about the carer going free for my Nan who was in a wheelchair."
• "Victoria on the gate was welcoming and knowledge very friendly and genuine."
• "The warmth and friendliness from all the people who work here was what stayed with us."
• "Staff in café were brilliant with good sense of humour & attitude to the work."
• "Christine and Roberta, both super knowledgeable and friendly."
• "The guides are incredibly helpful and informative, their imparted knowledge adds so much more to the experience."
• "Staff very friendly and helpful."

Cons:

• "Gardener very helpful, but ticket kiosk man didn’t re-direct us onto accessible route even though he could see the mobility scooter."
• "Came away disappointed. Audio guide supplied. No headphones offered just advice to keep volume down so as not to disturb other visitors."
• "Found the staff at the house rather abrupt."
• "Can't say the staff were particularly welcoming on this occasion but everyone has an off day I suppose."
• "Nice place, rude staff, think they own the place we had our dog with us and only wanted to walk around the grounds and have a coffee."
• "The deli shop was void of any fresh produce and the packaged selection was sparse..there wasn't even anyone serving."
• "After today's visit to Holker Hall I find that this year is so much more different to previous years as they have made so many changes to both the system and the management of which I find spoils the attraction to the place it's just not the same."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "We had coffee at the cafe with a warm scone, cream and jam it was really tasty."
• "The cafe had a good range of delicious homemade cakes and the staff were very friendly."
• "The food at the cafe was especially good - great selection available and very friendly service."
• "Our lunch in the cafe was wonderful. Well above the usual on offer in a cafe."
• "Food from the Café was very good."
• "Great food in the courtyard."
• "Cafe great with lots of indoor and outdoor seating and a good menu (the breakfast stack is good)."

Cons:

• "But why does a place offering such high standards only put two tea bags in a pot capable of holding four large cups?"
• "The cafe was a bit overpriced though and the food was ok but not great."
• "The cafe however is not so good. We were find place very quickly and placed an order for tea and coffee, sandwich, teacake. Drinks took about 15 minutes to arrive (why? nothing special) and after about another 10 minutes had to ask where teacake and sandwiches was."
• "The cafe was poor as in selection and service."
• "However I WASN`T CRAZY ABOUT THE CAFE."
• "Only issue was that food in the restaurant is a rip off price."
• "Gardens spectacular but need to buck ideas up regarding food."