CAMpRA and the National Trust

I don’t either, but it might be a bit like during lockdown, when you had to make a booking to visit a property. Because of there charitable status, they couldn’t discriminate between members and non members, giving one preference over the other. That’s why I suggested the voucher, it might get round any such issue.

I don't know this particular location but if you stay overnight is there any barrier to access the Gardens? If you can just walk in when the office is close perhaps that might explain the very high cost. On the other hand if access is restricted by some sort of barrier the it would be better to charge a more realistic figure to stay overnight and normal charges for access? That way at least that way NT members wouldn't be disadvantaged?

David

Stourhead can be a magical place to visit in winter. I remember staying overnight during a sunny, settled cold spell in January/February. We arrived about 3:30 and literally had the lake & grounds to ourselves - we were the only van in the CL. In those days you paid for the MH pitch (hard standing & EHU) and as NT members the rest was free. The grass was frosty, parts of the lake frozen and the whole place carpeted in snowdrops. Bacon baps for breakfast in the NT cafe and toilet facilities during opening hours. The churchyard was a picture. Pub in the grounds. I’d happily pay £30 for that kind of experience. Sometimes special places have special prices.

Things may have changed but when we stayed there a few years ago there was a notice asking you not to access the gardens out of hours [health and safety issues] but there was nothing stopping you. I had a wonderful couple of hours in there one evening all on my own other than one other couple I saw once.

The CL at that time was dire. Motorhomes could not have emptied their grey water as access was difficult, and the main car park was along side so it was like being part of it. During the day there were people walking through the CL as a short cut to reception.

As I said earlier up the thread, there's no way I'm paying £38 for a basic CL. I realise that Stourhead is the 'jewel in the crown' of the NT but they are 'avin a larf.

I wonder what the occupancy rate is at those prices. I suppose it might be attractive to a non NT member as it effectively includes entry.

I have to agree with Seaside Bill “Sometimes special places have special prices.”   I would also add there are a variety of walks from the carpark/CL and going up King Alfred’s Tower when visiting some time back was worth climbing all those steps for the view (it has restricted opening times).

I doubt very much NT would continue to run the S’head CL if it wasn’t cost effective as they spent money relocating it a few years back.

The CL at Stourhead is still alongside the main car park, hardly a quiet location, but we know that's not the point...

we live close enough to visit without the need to overnight and it is a regular place for us, but it's just another example of not understanding the market.

club and NT members, being charged £40-50 (depending on party size) for a small patch of chippings to access a park they've already paid for?....no thanks.

Although we can visit SH easily, the sad thing is this 'researched model' will be rolled out and other spots like the wonderful Kingston Lacy (formerly 'not cheap' at £20) will now more than double in price...to something that will put us off.

rather than this initiative becoming part of an overall drive to make overnight use of largely unused car par spaces, we've got an excuse to turn previously accessible NT CLs into top priced white elephants..

I doubt very much NT would continue to run the S’head CL if it wasn’t cost effective as they spent money relocating it a few years back.

I am sure it will be attractive to non NT members. A family group of two adults and two kids can stop the night for the princely sum of £1. The cost of a nights stay minus the £45 family entry fee to the garden.

I wonder what the occupancy rate is at those prices. I suppose it might be attractive to a non NT member as it effectively includes entry.

Probably so CY but it certainly does not sit well with NT members of which I am one. I already pay over the odds for membership (it is a charity) so there will be no way I will be using this CL even though I like Stourhead. It may well go down well with CAMpRA members who are not NT members but it hardly encourages them to join the NT

peedee

I already pay over the odds for membership

An interesting comment, what is the odds for membership of this kind of organisation then PD? And if you feel that way why pay it?

but it certainly does not sit well with NT members of which I am one

I'm a NT (and EH) member and it sits well with me?

As always use it or not ?

btw the way I'm in favour of using car parks at night for MHs.