English bloody heritage.

[GWAYGWAY]

I rolled up at Dover Castle waited a fair time and got to the front Of a queue, then told I couldn't go in as I had not got a pre booked on line ticket.I got a bit annoyed at that as there is sod all saying anything about it.
Today I tried booking online to go the Stonehenge, I went around and around the website and get nowhere so I rang the help number.
15 minutes late of horrid noise , I get to speak to somebody who informed me I had a choice to book for a half hour slot And to choose it at the percise time I get there antoallow time to gain admittance At the slot time or be refused again. Well I wonder how you arrive in a tight slot after the M25 and the A303.
all this mucking about to look at a few rocks in a windy field for a maximum of an hour on site. Safety was mentioned so many times I felt like spitting.
I asked can I have my money back that I paid for this 'membership' I was then told I could if it was within 28 days or membership start. Well it wasn't as I had to wait three weeks whilst they actually sent the documents and card So that is out. The membership started on the day they received the forms But the working from home business meant that nothing was dispatched from the empty office for the three weeks.
A total cockup and the goldplating of the bloody covid farce is a travesty, adding extra to the minimums seems a to keep jobsworths in business.
You can go into pub but not a big castle or a field.
I really wish I hadn't renewed the membership.

 

[Puddleduck]

A letter to the CEO might give you some leeway for times if you can point out how long it is taking them to get documents out to the punters. Worth a try ??

I remember when visiting Stonehenge was free (used to live nearby as a child) and I hated the new exhibitions when we last visited (Martin had never been) which I found full of inaccuracies. I was so miffed that I asked to speak to the person in charge and pointed out the errors..... he'd started full of puff and bluster but by the time we had finished he was much more humble. I suggested he took a trip to Iceland and look at the displays at The Settlement Exhibition and take away some of how they had managed to cater for the casual visitor and the academic without the former being way out of depth or the later feeling patronised. It also helped that my daughter (historian) quoted book, author, edition, chapter and page when she was correcting him. He looked up the first couple and then went very quiet.

 

[mikebeaches]

Oh dear - what a tale of woe...

 

[Deneb]

To be fair to EH, I must have had at least 20 emails since they started re-opening sites, all including the information that they are limiting the number of visitors and that visits can only be booked in advance via online booking. It's also displayed on their website as soon as you look at prices and opening times for any location.

I have been to several sites since they re-opened and the system generally works well. I have been let in half an hour before my allotted time when there was no-one else waiting at the entrance, and at any time in the hour following. The booking slots are hourly, and the website does also explain that you can enter any time up to an hour after your booked time.

 

[Spriddler]

I was on the Isle of Wight recently and booked (as instructed on their websites) for Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle, both English Heritage properties, and stayed on a nearby site the night before. No prob at all.
These aren't 'normal' times and however you feel about the 'bloody Covid farce' procedures all organisations have a duty of care towards customers and their staff.
One of my D's in Law works in a customer-facing supervisory role for the Nat Trust at Petworth House and they are doing everything they can to protect and satisfy customers, which includes a great deal of cleaning and sanitising - not part of her 'normal' job. Even so, the staff receive abuse.

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[Coolcats]

Most venues not just EH have pre-booking to manage numbers during this CV-19 time keeps everyone safe-ish

 

[dunnah01]

I rolled up at Dover Castle waited a fair time and got to the front Of a queue, then told I couldn't go in as I had not got a pre booked on line ticket.I got a bit annoyed at that as there is sod all saying anything about it.
Today I tried booking online to go the Stonehenge, I went around and around the website and get nowhere so I rang the help number.
15 minutes late of horrid noise , I get to speak to somebody who informed me I had a choice to book for a half hour slot And to choose it at the percise time I get there antoallow time to gain admittance At the slot time or be refused again. Well I wonder how you arrive in a tight slot after the M25 and the A303.
all this mucking about to look at a few rocks in a windy field for a maximum of an hour on site. Safety was mentioned so many times I felt like spitting.
I asked can I have my money back that I paid for this 'membership' I was then told I could if it was within 28 days or membership start. Well it wasn't as I had to wait three weeks whilst they actually sent the documents and card So that is out. The membership started on the day they received the forms But the working from home business meant that nothing was dispatched from the empty office for the three weeks.
A total cockup and the goldplating of the bloody covid farce is a travesty, adding extra to the minimums seems a to keep jobsworths in business.
You can go into pub but not a big castle or a field.
I really wish I hadn't renewed the membership.

You could try giving 'em a break during these troubled times - you were at fault for not looking at the guidance so no point getting all worked up about it.

 

[Wildweasle]

I rolled up at Dover Castle waited a fair time and got to the front Of a queue, then told I couldn't go in as I had not got a pre booked on line ticket.I got a bit annoyed at that as there is sod all saying anything about it.
Today I tried booking online to go the Stonehenge, I went around and around the website and get nowhere so I rang the help number.
15 minutes late of horrid noise , I get to speak to somebody who informed me I had a choice to book for a half hour slot And to choose it at the percise time I get there antoallow time to gain admittance At the slot time or be refused again. Well I wonder how you arrive in a tight slot after the M25 and the A303.
all this mucking about to look at a few rocks in a windy field for a maximum of an hour on site. Safety was mentioned so many times I felt like spitting.
I asked can I have my money back that I paid for this 'membership' I was then told I could if it was within 28 days or membership start. Well it wasn't as I had to wait three weeks whilst they actually sent the documents and card So that is out. The membership started on the day they received the forms But the working from home business meant that nothing was dispatched from the empty office for the three weeks.
A total cockup and the goldplating of the bloody covid farce is a travesty, adding extra to the minimums seems a to keep jobsworths in business.
You can go into pub but not a big castle or a field.
I really wish I hadn't renewed the membership.

The British service industry at its worst, covid is mana from heaven for the can't do,won't do, generation

 

[Odd-no-more]

A letter to the CEO might give you some leeway for times if you can point out how long it is taking them to get documents out to the punters. Worth a try ??

I remember when visiting Stonehenge was free (used to live nearby as a child) and I hated the new exhibitions when we last visited (Martin had never been) which I found full of inaccuracies. I was so miffed that I asked to speak to the person in charge and pointed out the errors..... he'd started full of puff and bluster but by the time we had finished he was much more humble. I suggested he took a trip to Iceland and look at the displays at The Settlement Exhibition and take away some of how they had managed to cater for the casual visitor and the academic without the former being way out of depth or the later feeling patronised. It also helped that my daughter (historian) quoted book, author, edition, chapter and page when she was correcting him. He looked up the first couple and then went very quiet.

I went to Stonehenge as a child and climbed on the stones, the I took my daughter after they roped it off, she was not very impressed, I think she would have been about 8years old. I don't think I would bother going now. But they get enough people so they don't care. Dumbing down? It is the way in twentyfirst century

 

[orridge]

Sorry but it's on the front page and every page for visiting any of the sites that you need to book a slot online in advance to visit how is it English Heritages fault if you did not check in advance. Most of the EH sites we visited recently also had a lot of signage prior to the ticket entry saying exactly the same thing. It's worth downloading the app as you can book online whilst waiting in the queue to get it subject to space.

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[BusyBuilder]

National Trust is just as bad. When we went around Aberdeenshire visiting the numerous castles. We picked up some leaflets about the castles which mentioned opening times and locations.

So we tip up at first castle and get asked, oh, have you booked a tour ???

no why, do we have to ?? can't we just walk around anymore ?

Oh no we only do tours now, you have to book to get on one.

How do we book ?

You do it online

But we are travelling in a motorhome, no internet.

So why isn't it in all these leaflets we have then ?? at this point I get a bit uppity as they seemed to only do 2 or 3 tours a day and if you miss one its a long wait or even the next day.

These people have no idea about paying customer (read MEMBER) service. So yes I understand exactly how you feel.

 

[Langtoftlad]

National Trust have the same system.
Do you have a suggestion how they could better manage the numbers?

all this mucking about to look at a few rocks in a windy field for a maximum of an hour on site.

You could of course walk or drive up from Larkhill and get a pretty good view of a "few rocks" from the other side of the fence... just take a look at google satellite view, to see the various vehicles parked up there.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

English Heritage, " what a laugh " , £erching, £erching, £erching, that's all their interested in, that's why they have been instrumental in getting ALL the local byways closed down, no free looking at the stones, and parking up for diddly squat. They also instigated the ridiculous tunnel that is now in the throws of construction, no more peeping at the stones whilst sitting in the traffic. I'm sure a 4mt high fence at a fraction of the cost would have alleviated the rubber necking that currently slows down the traffic.
Mike

 

[Lenny HB]

I went to Stonehenge as a child and climbed on the stones, the I took my daughter after they roped it off, she was not very impressed, I think she would have been about 8years old. I don't think I would bother going now. But they get enough people so they don't care. Dumbing down? It is the way in twentyfirst century

Yep, been there done that when in my 20's, like you it has no attraction now as you can't get anywhere near the stones.

 

[Langtoftlad]

National Trust is just as bad.
So why isn't it in all these leaflets we have then ?? at this point I get a bit uppity as they seemed to only do 2 or 3 tours a day and if you miss one its a long wait or even the next day.

I suppose you have heard of the Coronavirus Pandemic ?
Leaflets printed & distributed pre-covid, probably months ago.

When I went to St Michaels Mount a week of so ago - plenty of people angry at not being allowed in - but we're members they shout.
Shame they didn't notice the 4, yes 4 A-Boards on the causeway telling them ticket only, and fully booked.

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[Spriddler]

I wouldn't go to Stonehenge again now that it's fenced.
Avebury Stone Circle and Henge is quite near and similar and you can wander around the stones. No mention of restrictions on the website.

Avebury | Wiltshire

Visit National Trust place Avebury in Wiltshire, home to museums, a manor house and a World Heritage-listed Neolithic site.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

 

[Puddleduck]

So why isn't it in all these leaflets we have then ??

To be fair the leaflets are often printed up to a year in advance.

I wouldn't go to Stonehenge again now that it's fenced.
Avebury Stone Circle and Henge is quite near and similar and you can wander around the stones. No mention of restrictions on the website.

Avebury | Wiltshire

Visit National Trust place Avebury in Wiltshire, home to museums, a manor house and a World Heritage-listed Neolithic site.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Lots of stone circles in the UK. Worth a trip to Orkney and the Outer Hebrides if you want to get up close and personal.

 

[Spriddler]

Lots of stone circles in the UK. Worth a trip to Orkney and the Outer Hebrides if you want to get up close and personal.

Bit of a trek from Wiltshire .

 

[Coolcats]

The British service industry at its worst, covid is mana from heaven for the can't do,won't do, generation

Harsh, and my experience of younger people (20's) is no different from any other generation they can do and will do

 

[Odd-no-more]

Harsh, and my experience of younger people (20's) is no different from any other generation they can do and will do

It's not a generation thing there are very many dozy people with no idea of customer service in any generation.

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[RandallC]

Bit of a trek from Wiltshire .

LOT of a trek from Wilts.

Thinking of OP, not sure if you go on the websites for EH & NT it's quite clear you have to book a timed ticket. Did this for Stonehenge (only to access the café for a pasty en-route home) Bit farcical BUT their way of coping with track and trace.

Assume you'd like to know if visiting somewhere on the day/time you were there they had covid19/bubonic plague/whatever's next, so you didn't pass it on to your children and grand Kids, etc

Life will no longer be the same until a vaccine is available and little chance of a repeat by covid20+

 

[jockaneezer]

If they had general admission before Covid, why can't they just operate a traffic light system and count you in and out like the supermarkets are doing ?

 

[Googlebot]

We just joined again and have been to loads of sites, it’s clear you need to book everywhere online before turning up and all the staff have been very helpful.

 

[gus-lopez]

They also instigated the ridiculous tunnel that is now in the throws of construction, no more peeping at the stones whilst sitting in the traffic. I'm sure a 4mt high fence at a fraction of the cost would have alleviated the rubber necking that currently slows down the traffic.

Tunnel should have been built 50 years ago so we'd be passing at 70mph rather than it is quicker to walk now usually. A 4 m high fence would never suffice as the ****ts slow at the top of the hill southbound so it would need to be at least 75m high to cut off any type of swanning whatsoever. Believe me I've been there, worked it out every time I'm stuck there for hours.

 

[dunnah01]

If they had general admission before Covid, why can't they just operate a traffic light system and count you in and out like the supermarkets are doing ?

Because 12,000 people in the queue would be disappointed with the 2 day wait due to reduced admission numbers

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[chaser]

Why do so many people want to look at some old stones, and even more strange, pay for the privilege?

 

[dunnah01]

Why do so many people want to look at some old stones, and even more strange, pay for the privilege?

The Rolling ones have been getting away with it since the 60s

 

[GWAYGWAY]

It is the booking online that I cannot do, it needs doing at home, and the website is not explained well how to navigate, logon, password, booking time, and then nothing to prove what you have. they expect EVERYONE to be a bloody wizz kid on a mobile phone, I am very hard-pressed
to read anything on mine. the proof needs to be to show your reference on the phone so if I do it on my iPad then it isn't on the phone. It seems a difficult thing for the older non-12-year-olds to actually understand. The person I spoke might as well said stupid old idiot for not knowing what she was talking about. It does seem to be a common trait in the younger generation now as they do everything on their phones and cannot reckon the fact it is alien to others that use pens and paper.
Do it online is the only way nowadays, but some people do not have a tame brat with them, to show how to.

 

[bigwood]

We have had quite a few visits to English Heritage and National Trust sites using there pre booked entry times. So far we have not had any problems and found the sites well organised. Other people visiting seem to keep there distance and respect social distancing.
Being members we received EMails and news letters to advise us how they were coming out of lockdown.

 

[sedge]

I have strong sympathy for anyone like me who is not at all proficient on a mobile phone and who cannot type without a qwerty keyboard. What is difficult to understand, about a 70 yo being old fashioned?

Incompetent, no. And if you'd be good enough to donate a spare few years of your young life to me to hone my precision with mobile phones and lend me your better eyesight while you're on the case, cos I haven't got the time to spare these days to learn a lot of new things as i already have new diabetes tech and all the committee things I'm involved in to cope with - it was easier when I worked fulltime, could use my home computer for fun (as well as being a founder member of a diabetes forum) and was on fewer other committees in my spare time!

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