National Trust users have hit out at the charity for "ruining" some of its estates after one customer had to fork out £16 just to walk their dogs.
The charity's Dunham Massey and Lyme Park estates are among one of its most popular for people to take a stroll around the grounds.
But people have been stung by a new expense after the National Trust started charging per person to use some of its car parks.
Previously, people were only charged per-car and even were able to park for free if one was a National Trust member. But now, every person who arrives, including children, will be hit with a fee, reports CheshireLive.
For a family of two adults and two children who weren't members, this would be an increase from £7 per car to £24. For a similar family where one adult was a member, it would go from being free to park to now costing £16.
Ann Annis wrote on Google reviews two weeks ago how she had to fork out £16 just to walk her dogs and has vowed not to return.
"Not been for a while, visited today, very disappointed," she wrote. "Prices are now per person so paid £8 we paid £16 to walk our dogs.
"We were told that the price now includes everything, I told the person taking the money I couldn't go in the house with the dogs and his reply was take turns, I've paid for a dog walk where we walked on strict paths only and when we entered the gardens a busy body told us to keep our dogs on short leashes. How dare they tell me how to walk my dogs.
"We won't be going back to Dunham again, we'll stick to Tatton Park."
While Anne Killeen said it was "disgusting" and "it's now for the haves and not the have nots".
"From £7.00 per car last year the fee is now £8.00 per person in the car. The food is very expensive and so is the gift shop. This is not a place for anyone on a small wage so priced out the lower-income families."
An "important message" on the National Trust's website for Dunham Massey warns those planning to pay a visit: "Ticketing on arrival to the car park is per person rather than per vehicle. This means anyone who is not a National Trust member will be asked to pay for a ticket. Tickets give access to the House / Servants’ Courtyard, Gardens & Park."
Ian Chadderton said the "very nice place [is] ruined by [the] rip-off cost to park" and the new charge had turned the nearby quaint village into a car park.
"Until recently a member could park for free and take in passengers. However all vehicle occupants now have to be members, or it’s £8 for each non-member. This [is] despite the fact that you can park in the village and walk-in for nothing.
"I bet the local residents are really impressed now, as the quaint Cheshire village now resembles a car park every weekend."
On Tripadvisor, Ian C said after a recent visit that he'd be cancelling his membership.
AnnLou15 wanted to warn others that chose to arrive on impulse having only wanting to use the grounds to go for a walk.
"I paid the price but it left a sour taste despite the park being beautiful," she wrote. "You can ordinarily walk around the grounds for free, the house wasn’t worth a look if I’m honest though the gardens were lovely. Therefore the price tag was not warranted in my opinion!"
The National Trust said the new charge is property-based and does not reflect a Trust-wide policy.
"As a charity, admission fees help us fund vital conservation work at our places," the charity said.
"These fees go directly to properties, allowing us to care for these special places for many years to come.
"By moving to a per person single admission price at Dunham Massey and Lyme, we have brought these two important places in line with other local attractions. We think this pricing model represents good value for money for a full day out, giving visitors an opportunity to explore these vast estates, including historic houses, gardens, and parklands.
"For frequent visitors who enjoy walks in the parkland at these places, an annual membership would be a cost-effective way to enjoy unlimited visits while also supporting our work to care for Dunham Massey and Lyme."
The National Trust describes Dunham Massey on its website as "a garden for all seasons, an ancient deer park and a house filled with treasures and stories", with Lyme being lauded for its "glorious house, surrounded by gardens, moorland and deer park".
It is not the first time the charity's car parks have caused anger. Only last month the National Trust closed a free car park on the edge of the Felbrigg Hall estate in Norwich.
The charity said it closed the car park because it is within a Site of Special Scientific Interest and can no longer cope with demand.
