Address: Upper Colquhoun St, Helensburgh, G84 9AJ, United Kingdom
Phone: +441436673900
Rating: 4.7
based on 267 reviews.
Visitor Experience
Pros:
"Definitely worth a visit."
"Well worth the visit both to see the design and the approach to conservation of this important heritage asset."
"The staff were truly amazing in terms of professional knowledge, friendliness and genuine desire that we got the most out of our visit."
"The guided tour was really informative and helped bring the house to life."
"Incredible place with amazing team of staff; every single one of them went out of their way to be kind, friendly and helpful."
"The staff here were outstanding: immensely friendly and knowledgeable."
"The staff were amazing full of info on the hoose and genuinely engaged with you."
Cons:
"I personally wouldn't ever wanna live in an interior that was so white."
"I found the staff as focused on chat with each other as on visitors and we did not engage."
"Bitterly disappointed."
"I did not like the Hill House. It is very old, and frankly, past its best."
"Very drab forbidding looking building and it gets worse on the inside."
"I was informed by a rude receptionist, not at this attraction."
"Very gloomy. Blinds and v low light made it difficult to see everything. Not at all safe for those with mobility problems, ditto visual impairment."
Architecture & Design
Pros:
"The intricate wall coverings marked the interest and hobbies of the Blackie family who owned and lived in this house for many years."
"The house itself is absolutely amazing, from the delicate wood work to the high back chairs, from the lamp shade to the stained glass, it’s full of details and uniqueness!"
"The best example of Mackintosh design, both architectural and interior."
"A great example of Charles Rennie Mackintosh work."
"Very impressive architecture from Charles Rennie Mackintosh."
"Loved the Charles Rennie Mackintosh design including decor, furniture and light fittings."
"A truly wonderful example of Rennie Mackintosh."
Cons:
"The entire house is now covered in a huge metal and netting shroud to preserve it so it's not visible like the picture above."
"Disappointing when you first see the house as it is covered all round with a metal net construction."
"The box round the outside does hinder your views out the window looking at the coast and surrounding area."
"The whole building is now encased in a huge steel cage to protect it from the elements (at least for the next few years), so the exterior cannot now be seen against the beautiful skyline."
"Externally, the design was flawed from day one and the building couldn't withstand Scottish weather."
"Unfortunately it has caused some considerable damage to the place already."
"It needs £1.5 million to put right the bad design and materials."
Facilities & Accessibility
Pros:
"Good WC facilities. Reasonable choice of food from the cafe at the usual NTS prices."
"The cafe is great too with lovely food and friendly staff."
"Decent parking available."
"Parking was ample and free, toilet facilities great and the shop was well stocked."
"The cafe is excellent and is also accessible via a lift."
"Very accessible for wheelchair users in the ground floor of Hill House and we were provided a guide book to allow the wheelchair user to see what was upstairs."
"NTS have done a good job of making the place as accessible as possible, with a lift to the café and the walkway around the house."
Cons:
"I must admit I found the entry fee really expensive and would be prohibitive for many families."
"£10.95 for a ploughman's lunch, £6.50 for a sandwich and £2.95 for a scone is totally out of order."
"The ramp supplied to the back entrance is rather narrow for a wheelchair."
"The abundant deep gravel surrounding the building is very difficult for any wheelchair, power or otherwise."
"I have deducted one star from my review mark as disabled wheelchair access has really not been thought through."
"It is at the top of a long and steep hill. It is a very long way from the shops and cafes, and has no public transport near by."
"Parking was a problem not sure if the gate opens at certain times."
Conservation & The 'Box'
Pros:
"Really interesting to see the conservation work - the Box is genius and allows visitors to get a different perspective of the house."
"You have to see the 'box' as they call it. Put up to protect the whole house from further rain damage."
"The metal box currently over the house to prevent further water damage can be walked over to give unusual rooftop views."
"The exterior structure has walkways around and over the top of the house that enable a closer view of the architecture."
"The box that surrounds the house give the visite a new and unique perspective."
"The covering box was amazing and the walkway enabled close aerial views of the house which was such a unique experience."
"The new 'box' structure is a necessary compromise that protects the building yet also gives the opportunity to see it from a different perspective."
Cons:
"The protective metal mesh is a little intrusive to the view but it's still worth climbing for."
"The 'box' which surrounds the house was erected to prevent too much rainwater from reaching the building, giving the house a chance to dry out."
"The first phase metal cage has walkways give a unique view of the outside of Hill House - including the roof - that not even Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the architect, would have been able to enjoy!"
"The house is now fully enclosed in a chain mail box. It sounds odd, but it works very well."
"The house has just been encompassed in a massive protective mesh by the Scottish National Trust in an endeavour to preserve it."
"The Box in place to protect the structure is itself a modern architectural achievement and in many ways adds to the attraction."
"The house is now contained within the 'box' incredible piece of engineering."