Mixed reaction to Wollaton Hall admission charges

Visitors will no longer be able to enter Wollaton Hall for free

Visitors are to be charged to visit Nottingham's Wollaton Hall and its Natural History Museum from April.

The £15 "pay once, visit all-year round" fee for people aged 15 and older will allow access to the attraction for 12 months.

Nottingham City Council said entrance to the Wollaton Deer Park and Grounds would remain free.

The authority said the charge would "help safeguard and protect these wonderful heritage sites and buildings for many years to come".

A new £30 adult rover ticket is also being offered, giving unlimited access to Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey for a year.

Tynette Sibanda said she understood why charges had been introduced

Rebecca Wakefield, from Nottingham, said she had regularly visited the attraction but would be unlikely to return now entry fees had been introduced.

The 41-year-old said: "I probably wouldn't pay it myself to be honest.

"Having been there numerous times with the children, I don't think it will have changed too much and I don't think it will be worth the price for us."

However, Lisa Richardson-Bales, 54, from Bramcote, thought £15 a year was good value.

"I don't think that's bad at all," she said. "I'm proud of Wollaton Hall and it's a place I love to go.

"I think it could put people off but that's just the way things go but if it supports the hall then great."

Tynette Sibanda, 63, from Nottingham, said the fee was "worth it", adding: "There's charges everywhere. No organisation runs without funds so if you want to see it maintained then that's fine.

"It definitely wouldn't stop me from visiting Wollaton Hall."

Rebecca Wakefield said she would prefer to just visit the grounds of the hall for free

Marion Cartwright, 82, from Nottingham, added: "These are our national treasures and they need to be looked after. If we have to pay for the upkeep of these places then I think we should.

"They need looking after for the future. I think it's good value for money, especially because you can keep going back."

The council said it had sought to make sure the new pricing was "competitive" while taking into consideration "the marketplace of heritage organisations nationwide".

Sam Lux, cabinet member for carbon reduction, leisure and culture, said: "We have listened to what visitors value inside Wollaton Hall as part of the new admission arrangements.

"I believe the simple pricing, including the new 'rover ticket' offers excellent value for money and, importantly, helps protect our important heritage."