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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's fair that pushchairs are not allowed inside historic houses?

99 replies

dolgellau · 01/06/2018 22:55

I volunteer weekly at a National Trust property.

We welcome anyone that wants to visit and explore the house and gardens.

Like many NT houses, pushchairs are more than welcome to go around the gardens. For conservation reasons they are not allowed indoors.

This particular property is 400+ years old and has some narrow doorways which are a problem of access for wheelchair users. More importantly there are almost 'priceless' pieces of irreplaceble furniture that can easily be knocked and damaged. The building is still set out as a house. I feel it's of utmost importance to care for all of these objects for future generations to enjoy, not just ours.

Every once in a while I get put on front of house. The amount of abuse and hassle I receive from people after they've been politelly informed that pushchairs are not allowed indoors. I've had swearing in my face to just general attitude. A favourite is that we're somehow discriminatory against wheelchair users. (For that matter we make exceptions and are very welcome).

I can't be rude to the visitors but come on, your child can walk or be carried whereas as a wheelchair user physically can't see the house otherwise! I always offer for the pushchair to be left in a safe place by the entrance where it will be guarded around the clock.

So, I thought I'd consult Mumsnet for this issue. Do you see it as being unfair for pushchairs to not be allowed in historic houses in order to conserve the collections?

OP posts:
Processedpea · 01/06/2018 22:59

you are totally reasonable

why would pushchairs be allowed in where wheelchairs aren't. it's a bit odd and entitled to think otherwise. people are twats these days

HagueBlue2018 · 01/06/2018 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bellaposy · 01/06/2018 23:02

We have been members for a long time and take our toddler and I've never seen there be any problem about not taking pushchairs in. You must be particularly unlucky where you are! I'm so surprised that people would be abusive. Perhaps suggest telling people as they pay if they don't already? They do all the places we've been (and we've been to lots!).

eightfacesofthemoon · 01/06/2018 23:03

Is this a reverse?
I guess people could have a lot of stuff they don’t want to leave behind? Might be too stressful to carry a child. Toddler might be more dangerous out of a buggy?
But fucking hell! Guess what parents, some things are a bit too hard to do with toddlers or pushchairs, so you can’t do them!

I don’t think Yabu. I agree. People are generally aresholes though.
Just smile and nod.

JustfortheHalibut · 01/06/2018 23:03

I don't think it's unfair at all as long as it's clear and enforced fairly and consistently.

We went to a similar NT place when DC was little and they had Hippy Chick carriers to borrow - ideal for an hour visit.

ShatnersBassoon · 01/06/2018 23:04

I don't know enough about old doorways and preserving artefacts to say. I suppose you have to weigh up whether an adult with a pushchair is likely to cause more damage and bother than an unrestrained toddler.

Samcro · 01/06/2018 23:05

most people with wheelchairs ( i say it that way as I am a care for a WC user . not in one) accept that there a few place that cannot accommodate them. Blenheim Palace is an example that all historic buildings should follow. they have a wheelchair lift. and WC users can at least see the ground floor.
sorry I have gone of topic,
small children will not be that interested. parents of nt kids will be able to go at a later stage, so banning nt buggys is NU

BabiesDontNeedDaddies · 01/06/2018 23:07

A child in a pushchair could very well not be able to walk

Samcro · 01/06/2018 23:07

i am talking about nt children.

Ghanagirl · 01/06/2018 23:08

So if you have two children who can’t walk, abandon them or take them in one at a time

JustfortheHalibut · 01/06/2018 23:08

I'm sorry but if people are concerned that their unrestrained toddler may cause chaos/damage to a historic building then they shouldn't take them in there. Plenty of other places to go and sometimes you have to accept that certain places aren't toddler friendly.

Samcro · 01/06/2018 23:09

can't walk or too young to walk?
there is a difference

SmackFox · 01/06/2018 23:10

I'd love to know what the position is for older children with disabilities that still use a pushchair.

Sleepyblueocean · 01/06/2018 23:10

As long as older children who still need pushchairs are allowed to use them ( treated the same way as a wheelchair).

ShatnersBassoon · 01/06/2018 23:12

I'm sorry but if people are concerned that their unrestrained toddler may cause chaos/damage to a historic building then they shouldn't take them in there

Don't be sorry, that's a reasonable point (although accidental damage is far more likely than chaos). The NT needs to stop encouraging families to visit these types of properties though.

Original poster
dolgellau · 01/06/2018 23:12

If someone is unable to walk or is disabled and needs a wheelchair then of course they are welcome to use them indoors.

OP posts:
firawla · 01/06/2018 23:13

No it’s not unfair. Yes, it could be inconvenient to some people but adjust plans accordingly? If baby is sleeping in pushchair then do the outside gardens etc then go in afterwards / use sling instead of buggy / go somewhere more suitable if it’s such an issue.
Of course wheelchair access is a different matter, but baby / toddler buggies - not a big deal. I’ve carried toddler dd all round Osborne house in Isle of Wight the other week, as she would have probably run amok and touched everything if let lose to walk. Arms ached a bit by the end of it! But didn’t expect to be able to bring the pushchair in anyway

MuddlingThrough1724 · 01/06/2018 23:17

I think that's fine, though it is always easier and would be less likely to cause issues for staff if no pushchairs are allowed, to have somewhere undercover to leave them.

At a local NT property we had to leave our pushchair unsecured and unsupervised by the entrance and it was threatening to chuck it down with rain. We chanced it and hoped that the pushchair and stuff in the basket would be safe, only to find that the exit was about 3 storeys down as the house was on a slope and a walk through the gardens up lots of steps to retrieve the pushchair. Was a total hassle and wish they had let us know either when getting tickets or when entering the house. Fortunately it didn't chuck it down in the end, though even a covered pergola or gazebo type thing would have been an excellent idea to avoid everything getting soaked had it rained. That being said, luckily DD was small enough that carrying her was fine.....now she's a toddler we don't always need the pushchair but I wouldn't fancy having her loose in a historic house!

Samcro · 01/06/2018 23:17

op out of interest what do you do about rucksacks?
I have been in places that don't allow them, people forget them and knock suff over.

CheshireChat · 01/06/2018 23:20

Depends how clear you make this from the offset IMO.

I've had to turn around and leave due to something similar to this, they were quite sniffy I couldn't carry DS for that long so they did get a rather tetchy reply, albeit a polite one.

If clear, then it's a shame, but NU.
Otherwise, they are definitely U to be abusive and rude, but you're U.

redexpat · 01/06/2018 23:20

I think it's fair enough if it is clearly visible on the website and literature etc. Is there pram/pushchair parking?

SmackFox · 01/06/2018 23:23

The thing is if I have an ordinary looking 4 year old in an ordinary looking buggy, am I going to have to spend time explaining that yes they are actually disabled. And will you still expect me to carry them or else be turned away. Because it's this sort of uncertainty that would put me off.

DesignStatement · 01/06/2018 23:23

It's not unfair. Some NT properties do provide baby slings for small babies, but most NT properties have narrow passageways, steep stairs and have valuable items on display. I wouldn't push a pram through my own house, so can't imagine doing it round an historic house.
I've heard people 'create' about their dogs not being allowed in!

AllMYSmellySocks · 01/06/2018 23:27

SmackFox What is your suggestion though? (That is a genuine question not meant to be snarky). If having pushchairs being pushed around the property all day is likely to cause damage it makes sense to ban them and then make exceptions when needed. Is there any way of quickly identifying children who have a medical need to remain in their buggy? (As in a badge you could wave to avoid having to explain to someone on a desk with a queue behind you).

MissClareRemembers · 01/06/2018 23:33

It’s absolutely fine to not allow pushchairs in. Although I once had a horrible experience at Waddesdon Manor where my then 2 year old DC broke free from my hands and ran off. He then fell flat on his face and the room volunteer muttered ‘stupid idiots’ under her breath.

Kind of mean of her.