National Trust - Souter Lighthouse and The Leas Reviews Summary

Staff and Volunteers

Pros:

• "The volunteer at the top of the Lighthouse was brilliant, very knowledgeable and clearly enjoyed his role."
• "Staff member Sue very interesting and full of knowledge and information of the working parts of the lighthouse."
• "Friendly, knowledgeable staff. They took time to explain the mechanics, the history and the view from the top."
• "The lighthouse is impressive and the guides were fantastic."
• "Everyone was so helpful & friendly & the people working there were so knowledgeable & patient."
• "The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and they were never far away if we had a question."
• "The staff and volunteers in the cafe / shop are very hospitable, welcoming cyclists, hikers and locals with a cheery smile and great attention to detail in customer service."

Cons:

• "Apart from the very grumpy attendant at the entrance, all the staff were friendly and helpful."
• "National Trust very bad service and don't blame coved like you staff did."
• "They taken the kids areas away, told us they want it to be a museum more than a kids play area which is such a shame."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "The lighthouse has a cafe serving delicious coffee and cake."
• "Decent small cafe with excellent bacon and sausage butties."
• "Cafe serves the most amazing cheese and onion pasty I've ever tasted and prices are reasonable too."
• "Cafe is excellent with a wide selection of food."
• "Has everything... brilliant tearoom with homemade food at reasonable prices!"
• "The cafe serves excellent coffee."
• "Cafe with variety food options."

Cons:

• "Sadly cafe was closed through no fault of NT or staff due to COVID."
• "On the day we visited no hot drink or food was available as there was a breakdown."
• "The café was lovely but too full to sit in."
• "Cafe was a bit cold feeling and hot chocolate was awful. Watery and very milky."
• "The tea room prices are quite pricey."
• "Cafe basic with limited choice and also expensive."
• "Cafe which sells a limited selection of food in none school holiday week days."

Accessibility and Facilities

Pros:

• "There is a carpark onsite too, which charges a fee unless you are National Trust members."
• "The car park is free for National Trust members (bring your card to scan for all day ticket)."
• "Great place for a lovely coastal walk."
• "Stunning location, the climb up to the top not bad at all. So for those who are not physically fit it is achievable."
• "The grounds are always in immaculate condition and the lighthouse itself always looks newly painted."
• "Beautiful area. Inside tour, little shop and toilets available."
• "Clean toilets with baby changing facility."

Cons:

• "If you were not a National Trust member having to pay to both park and enter the property might not feel like value for money."
• "Parking charged at £1 per hour at either of the two car parks."
• "Parking needs coins (no card/no phone) or NT member card."
• "The only negative would be that the parking machine didn't work on the day so I needed to use the app."
• "It's not a pushchair or wheelchair friendly site."
• "The site is partially accessible but there are a number of steps and stairs and those going up to the light house top are rather steep."
• "Unfortunately run by a shortsighted manager who has seen fit to make ALL seating inaccessible."

Experience and Activities

Pros:

• "Well worth a visit. Another doorstep jewel."
• "It's definitely worth the visit."
• "Totally recommend!"
• "Souter Lighthouse is magnificent and beautifully maintained by the National Trust."
• "Very interesting place! Despite not being good with heights I managed the spiral staircase and the steep ladder to the top."
• "This is a fantastic National Trust property in the North East of England."
• "A great place to visit, good venue for families, dog walkers and lovers of heritage sites."

Cons:

• "Shame the National Trust hasn't made more of it."
• "Owned by the National Trust and kept well, but very expensive to go into house at £7.50 per adult so did not bother."
• "But when compared to other national trust sites there is not loads to do on site."
• "Forcing elderly people to sit on the ground is not really acceptable."
• "Sadly a visit to the top is not suitable for the infirm, frightened and less confident."
• "Unfortunately, not open on the day of my visit, however looks a worthy place to visit."
• "The plants for sale looked very lack lustre and both the vegetable plot and wildlife garden are far below the standard of other NT attractions."