National Trust - Hill Top Reviews Summary

Staff and Guides

Pros:

• "Great staff very friendly and informative."
• "The staff were so nice. The staff in the house were so polite and knowledgeable about Miss Potter."
• "The staff were all very knowledgeable, helpful and interested."
• "The staff in the house were brilliant, pointing out to us little details which added to our visit."
• "The staff both in the ticket office, shop and house were so friendly and helpful."
• "The volunteers were very helpful and informative."
• "The Staff were very knowledgeable and friendly."

Cons:

• "The lady on the car park entrance did not appear to understand that we only wanted to look around the gardens."
• "Unfortunately the staff on the desk at the entrance do the hard sell about joining the National Trust which means it takes twice as long to get tickets."
• "the staff in the house, on the other hand, were slightly snippy, as if they were unhappy to have tourists in a tourist spot!"

House and Garden

Pros:

• "Lovingly redecorated house and gorgeous flower garden, though very touristy and crowded."
• "The original Beatrix Potter homestead was left as is when Ms. Potter passed away."
• "The gardens are stunning and the house itself is beyond stunning!"
• "Really pretty garden, it’s quite small but we didn’t mind at all."
• "Nice gardens and the surrounding village is delightful as well."
• "The house is pretty much as she left it."
• "Beautiful cottage, left just as it was when Beatrix Potter lived there."

Cons:

• "Compared to other NT properties I was expecting to see more artefacts, small number of rooms to look around."
• "We left feeling we had been taken for a ride, the garden is just a path to the house and we were done in 30 minutes.. all for £28."
• "The orchard was overgrown and needed mowing."
• "It's only a short visit as it's basically the small house of Beatrix Potter and limited numbers can enter, so best to book."
• "But it was so packed that was difficult to see anything in detail."
• "Very overpriced for the amount of time you'll spend in the house."
• "I felt that the gardens were a little unloved and needed some attention."

Accessibility and Parking

Pros:

• "Entrance to the house is free for National Trust members."
• "Easy to park, but we were the first in the car park."
• "Parking is very limited and could be better signposted."
• "Parking a premium but not as difficult as expected."
• "Parking and entry is free to trust members."
• "We parked at the side of Windermere and had a pleasant walk to the village."
• "Hilltop has limited parking on site, you will have to book in advance to ensure you have space to park."

Cons:

• "Not easy to park nearby in busy seasons."
• "Very busy, car park was full by 10am, so you need to be there early to get a space in the free national trust car park."
• "Car park was, well, tiny and crammed, had to park in the hotel car park next door which was no better."
• "The car park only has a capacity for 15 cars and is Marshalled by jobsworths, and they stop entry and cause queues on the very narrow main road and entrance ensuring chaos for locals and travellers alike, be warned."
• "The car park is very small and it's hard to find parking."
• "Parking can be a bit scarce in the area."
• "The car park isn't large and is a couple of hundred yards away."

Experience and Atmosphere

Pros:

• "A must see experience."
• "A really nice experience, seeing how Beatrix Potter lived."
• "This is such a magical place."
• "Even on a gloomy and wet day this was an amazing place to visit."
• "If you love all things Beatrix Potter then this is a must visit."
• "It was amazing to visit the home of such an inspiring woman!"
• "A real gem of a place, set in the lakes."

Cons:

• "You do have to be interested in Beatrix Potter to really get the most out of this."
• "Timed entry doesn't work too well as no one is forced to exit in a timely manner."
• "Bit expensive to visit if you're not a national trust member, but worth the visit."
• "£11 p.p. fee is quite expensive for a house you will have seen in about 25 minutes."
• "Nice to visit but honestly not very much there."
• "It can get very busy and crowded at the height of the season."
• "Unfortunately quite crowded in the garden, and always very long queue and waiting at the gift shop."