Tullie Reviews Summary

Exhibits and Layout

Pros:

• "Some nice interesting exhibits about the local roman history etc."
• "Very well laid out gallery and museum."
• "The museum itself was interesting and educational."
• "With plenty of interesting exhibits, local history and fabulous costume collection, a lot to take in and ponder."
• "The numerous exhibitions cover Carlisle's prehistoric and Roman history, a Viking burial, the Border Reivers, Cumbria's natural history, railways and much more."
• "The galleries are well set out with easy to read printed info, audio visuals and clearly labelled artefacts."
• "Great Roman exhibition with lots of items from digs."

Cons:

• "The museum wasn't set out the best as we didn't really find that it flowed well."
• "I found some of the exhibits difficult to see due to the dim lighting."
• "However, the general exhibits look tired."
• "Nice permanent collection of local historic interest (doesn't take you long to get around) but we paid to get into the Rembrandt and Turner exhibitions, which were mainly early studies and sketches or work inspired by the artists, with only a couple of proper, complete works."
• "For me it wasn't really worth the £10 entry fee, I've seen much better museums for less."
• "In need of investment and modernisation, though as a place to take the kids it seems to serve its purpose well."
• "£15 per adult entry fee was a bit steep though."

Accessibility and Facilities

Pros:

• "The museum is fully accessible with stairs and lifts to all floors with M/F and disabled toilets."
• "Very accessible with automatic doors and lifts, toilets on the ground floor and a nice gift shop."
• "Fully accessible toilet facilities on the ground floor."
• "It's very spacious, I was able to push my toddler around in the pram with no issues."
• "The place was spotless and good access for disabled / parents with prams."
• "There are interactive exhibits for kids and big kids that keep the attention focused."
• "A very hands on museum... Great for kids."

Cons:

• "This Museum has no dedicated car park but a short walk away there is a pay and display one available."
• "Not very easy to find in a car due to one way system in Carlisle. Limited parking very nearby."
• "Entrance from island very dark and dirty...steps. Surprised that is so dirty...was opened by the Queen with posh lift. Now abandoned? ??? Shame......"
• "Needed the toilet and both doors left open... not very private for noise levels etc.."
• "I think they should offer a discount for students, people on benefits or low income."
• "It is £30 for 2 people, which is out of budget for most low income people."
• "£12 entry per person gives you admission for one year. But as a one off visitor it does not offer value for money, especially as children are free and at the time of our proposed visit there were several noisy school parties within the building."

Staff and Customer Service

Pros:

• "Friendly very helpful staff and a very reasonable and modest entrance fee."
• "The staff were very welcoming and we could buy a helpful guidebook for £3.50."
• "All the staff were super friendly, knowledgeable and always ready to answer any questions."
• "Friendly helpful staff 😊"
• "The staff were very polite and friendly and are motivated to keep the space visitor friendly and accessible."
• "Staff really helpful and nice."
• "Very friendly and informative staff, excellent roman exhibitions."

Cons:

• "Only down side was school kids visit, just running around shouting."
• "Cafe let's the place down. Unfriendly staff and atmosphere and very little choice."
• "The cafe was overpriced and disorganised and the staff were unfriendly."
• "I was a helper on a school trip and the staff had no clue of prices or to work quickly at the shop."
• "Often has amazing shows, so worth going for those, but I find the staff rude."
• "I found the staff there really miserable looking."
• "What a rip off, I just cannot believe that they have the audacity to charge so much for the look back into our history."

Value and Pricing

Pros:

• "Well worth the £6.50 entrance fee (adult) for a day ticket and if you're planning to come again £10.00 for an annual pass."
• "For the price it's a great visit. Kids go free with a paying adult, and an adult paying fee gets a years entry."
• "£10 for a year’s visiting privileges and you can take the kids with you for free? That’s unparalleled."
• "Great value at £12 each. It sounds like a lot but you can use the ticket for as many visits as you like within a year and there is so much to see."
• "Entry ticket is valid for a year."
• "The ticket is reasonable and lasts one year so you can go back as many times as you like in that period."
• "One ticket lasts the whole year. Great value for money and great for kids."

Cons:

• "Worst meal ever."
• "This was a place we were going to visit but decided that it was too expensive,for a short visit, when there were other places such as the cathedral, which was free."
• "Why change to Watts it's now more expensive cups way to small no tea bags no.hot water won't be back."
• "Well worth the steep entrance fee."
• "A small warning before you head out to the museum it is £10 entry for adults. It seemed expensive at first but I think it is well worth it."
• "Bit disappointed, I was on the original archeological dig where the new building now stands back in 1983... Won't be back waste of a trip and the money to get in."
• "For me it wasn't really worth the £10 entry fee, I've seen much better museums for less."