Callendar House Reviews Summary

Accessibility

Pros:

• "It's easy enough to get around most of the museum with a pram, there are lifts to get up and down most areas."
• "It's on two floors, has plenty of disabled access and enough space to move around."
• "The walking surface would be good for wheelchair users and anyone unsteady on their feet."
• "Greeted at front door and shown where the level access was."
• "Access to the two floors and going through the house was great."
• "There are public toilets next to the playpark as well as inside the house too."
• "The park itself has visible sections of the Antonine Wall running through it."

Cons:

• "However some parts of it are missing or need repairing."
• "The lift is too small for a wheelchair and carer to go in together."
• "Some paths from car park at the house not very suitable for pushing a wheelchair."
• "The disabled parking has not clearly marked out all it has is a sign."
• "The only place she couldn't go was the shop."
• "Not all the activities seemed to be in use and we didn’t get to see all of them anyway."
• "The only downfalls are the amount of rubbish laying around the woodland and water."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The girl in the kitchen was delightful very informative staff werecall very pleasant well worth a visit."
• "Very warm welcome from the staff."
• "Pleasant staff."
• "Friendly, helpful staff and amazing house with many interesting exhibits to browse through."
• "The staff were great, could not have been more helpful."
• "Great friendly and welcoming staff with such talented bakers just outstanding."
• "The staff were very friendly and helpful."

Cons:

• "Staff not very attentive or happy looking."
• "Not a place i would recommend for afternoon tea... service was slow."
• "Then when we needed assistance with more drinks after waiting a while I had to go looking for a member of staff as they were all chatting together in the other room."
• "It took forever to get seated, and even longer to get menus and be waited on."
• "The kitchen was closed when we went to have a look round the house and during our high tea the kids' food arrived a lot later than the adults did."
• "I was a bit disappointed when I couldn’t get to the gift shop."
• "When we visited, during the Easter week, the toilets were locked and remained locked."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "We spotted three car parks, so there’s plenty of room, and it’s free."
• "Visitors can admire the stunning flora and fauna while taking a leisurely stroll through the gardens."
• "Great, well maintained mansion house in the stunning surroundings of Callendar Park."
• "The house is steeped in history having been visited by the Romans to Royals in recent times."
• "A very well curated experience taking the viewer through history of the house from Roman times."
• "The house itself has a great deal of history and everything is thorough and well explained."
• "The house stands like a French Château in the Scottish winter sun."

Cons:

• "Arrived to find restaurant was closed due to a private function. No mention of this on website."
• "The lochs beauty is only spoiled by the perimeter pathway which becomes a quagmire when wet."
• "The tables and chairs were like a roadside diner. It spoilt the whole feel of the house."
• "They have changed out the furniture to be more modern and I'm not quite sure it suits the style of the room."
• "Old outdated building in need of some repairs, maybe more signage inside, outside area slightly unkept, graffiti."
• "Just a shame that the climbing frame in the play park is gone."
• "Shame that it needs as much work as it does these days."

Food and Dining

Pros:

• "The tearoom is well worth a visit...apart from the setting the food is great."
• "Tasty lunch of vegetable crumble and tast quiche."
• "We had a delicious lunch of soup, sandwiches and cakes...all homemade."
• "Also, great tea room with generous cake and good coffee."
• "Food and drink reasonably priced and great quality."
• "The tea room was excellent and very busy, and the pricing was reasonable."
• "Stopped at the Tea Room for lemon scones and bacon rolls (both were excellent)."

Cons:

• "Cafe was a bit expensive though."
• "The coffee shop, however, was a little disappointing. My coffee was weak and flavourless, probably instant granules."
• "We didn't order any of the sandwiches, as they were prepackaged factory made things that didn't look too appetising."
• "The sandwiches were curled up scones were not fresh."
• "Nothing to say other than needs cheering up and a menu refresh."
• "Far too expensive, they treble the price of everything."
• "As a dog owner this place is let down with no option to either take your pet inside the House's cafe OR to have a cuppa outside."

Overall Experience

Pros:

• "Even on a damp day we strolled through the woodland and around the lake."
• "Really impressive."
• "Was beautiful as always even with light rain, plenty of activities for adults, children and dogs."
• "The old kitchen was a highlight...it was used in the filming of Outlander."
• "Very interesting house and brought to life by guide Robert."
• "We were highly entertained and educated by archaeologist, Jeff, who provided museum pieces for us to identify and guess their use."
• "This is a wonderful historical place to visit."

Cons:

• "Ok but not great for kids a little bit boring, too much reading for them and not a lot to see."
• "Not a place i would recommend for afternoon tea... service was slow."
• "In all, very disappointing."
• "I won't be returning."
• "A superb jewel for Falkirk."
• "The gentleman who was in attendance actually said to me as he pointed to folders I hadn’t touched 'I hope you haven’t mixed these up'."
• "The only downfalls are the amount of rubbish laying around the woodland and water."