Gainsborough Old Hall Reviews Summary

Accessibility

Pros:

• "Toilets are downstairs, including the disabled facilities, but there is a stair lift."
• "The parking is on road but we did not struggle to find any."
• "Limited parking nearby that is time restricted but look in the side streets for unrestricted parking for free."
• "The site has no parking, but there are numerous fairly priced pay and display carpark within a stone's throw of the Hall."
• "There was no car park, but we found there were plenty of places to park in the streets opposite."

Cons:

• "Access for disabled visitors somewhat limited to some areas."
• "Limited for wheelchair users only ground floor accessible."
• "Wheelchair access is limited to the lower level unfortunately."
• "Only downside is the lack of accessibility upstairs if you have a pram."

Staff and Guides

Pros:

• "Friendly, helpful staff who all seem to be knowledgeable about the history and use of the building."
• "Had a lovely visit to Gainsborough Old Hall today. All the staff were friendly and a special shout out to our guide Rick who was fantastic."
• "The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and as it is under the care of English Heritage there is also an audio guide to assist you as you go around."
• "Staff couldn't have been nicer."
• "Staff in the hall were fantastic. Very welcoming and friendly."
• "Really friendly and informative staff."
• "The lovely people who worked there were so helpful and enthusiastic they really added to the day."

Cons:

• "However, I felt that they appeared to add little value (as weren't really chatting or helping you to understand what was around them)."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "A small cafe offers a variety of refreshments - the perfect spot to sit down and soak up the historic ambiance."
• "There's a cafe and gift shop at the entrance."
• "Great coffee and cake offerings."
• "Can recommend the cakes in the cafe too!"
• "Visit ended with delicious cakes and coffee in cafe."
• "Very good cafe as well."
• "The cafe also is of good quality and has quick service."

Cons:

• "It would be good if English Heritage didn't have to charge a fortune or close half the building off."
• "Expected all the rooms to display something was very disappointed that half the rooms upstairs were empty."
• "We gave up when we came to rooms filled as modern classroom from school parties as part of the tour."
• "The kitchen has a lack of artefacts and the fake meat cupboard is empty."
• "Admission Expensive. Basic and bland café menu."

Historical Experience

Pros:

• "The finest 13th century hall I’ve ever seen."
• "This is a gem of building. It has so much history."
• "It's a wonderful old hall full of wonderful ancient history!"
• "Medieval building that has survived the years especially well and gives a superb insight into life (of the gentry) during those times."
• "What a fabulous medieval building. Steeped in history and once entertained Royalty."
• "Amazing medieval house wonderfully restored and now maintained by English Heritage."
• "Gainsborough Old Hall is one of the biggest and best-preserved medieval manor houses in England."

Cons:

• "The only disappointment was the lack of written information on the room description boards, which they have had at the many other EH places we have visited."
• "I would have liked a few more 'information boards' in the rooms however, as you were often left wondering what it had previously been used for."
• "The rooms are now just empty spaces with written posts explaining the use and a quick history."
• "I doubt I'd go back again as there wasn't anything there worth a second visit."
• "Has been taken over by English Heritage and unfortunately the council took away a lot of the stage settings which was a shame."
• "The story of the old home has been sanitised out of existence."
• "We were not happy with the audio guides which we found difficult to use with the explanation given."