Overview

I arrived with my 87 year old mum yesterday. It was pouring with rain and mum has poor mobility but can walk with help.The drive into Ham is long so I drove to the gate. I asked if it was possible to use the car park due to the terrible weather and the fact they had only 3 cars in the car park. The answer was no as blue card holders only. The lady on the door said my mum could wait in the open tent while I moved the car. Mum got out the car and sat down. It was so cold and wet. It would take me 10 minutes to drive and return from re parking the car. It was too cold to leave mum so we got her back in the car. The sadness of the whole event is she is 87, the place was empty due to the pouring rain. On this occasion I just needed a little help so mum could have the trip out that she wanted to the tea room. The best reply at the door was No just get a blue badge. We don’t all need blue badges but a little common sense and kindness goes a long way. I would be careful if planning to take an elderly people or anyone needed help to get closer to this venue as we had to leave. We were then welcomed at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond with immense kindness and help . Mum and I take regularly trips out on a Friday and never have we seen such unkind behaviour. If the car park had been full then I understand ,but it was empty. I am a physiotherapist and feel that this experience was both cruel and unkind. I have now cancelled my membership with the national trust as this experience was dreadful and shameful. I live in Richmond and will now push for Ham House to have at least 2 spaces in their car park for anyone in need of some help.

Transport & Parking

Access

Toilets

Staff

The member of staff at the door was so unkind.