National Trust: Which properties have reopened and how can I book a visit?

Numbers will be tightly controlled

Friday 29 May 2020 06:39 EDT

Calke Abbey (Chris Lacey)

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The National Trust has announced it will begin a “phased reopening” of some of its gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland from 3 June.

It will begin by reopening a small number of green spaces at properties where social distancing can be observed, before gradually increasing the reopenings over the coming weeks.

It’s free to visit for National Trust Members, while non-members will have to pay an entry fee.

All the Trust’s houses, shops, holiday cottages and campsites remain closed in line with government guidelines.

Parks and gardens will admit around a third of their normal capacity at any one time, to ensure social distancing can be practised.

Director General Hilary McGrady said: “We want to provide safe, local, welcoming spaces for people, and wherever possible we will open our gardens and parks, and coast and countryside car parks.

“The fresh air, bird song, big skies and open spaces people have missed will be there, but things will be very different, particularly at first. We want to thank people for their patience and support while we gradually begin reopening and welcoming our visitors.”

Here’s everything you need to know.

Do I have to book?

Yes. To ensure the number of visitors is limited, allowing social distancing to be observed, the National Trust is asking people to book tickets in advance. Members and non-members alike must book (although the former won’t have to pay), and at some places you will also need to book a spot in the car park.

Tickets can be booked from 29 May via each individual property’s website. Non-members will have to pay in advance.

You’ll need to book one ticket per person, except for children aged five or under who don’t require a ticket. Choose a 30-minute arrival timeslot for the day you want to visit – the timeslot is for your arrival time only, and the length of time you can stay will depend on the opening times of the place you’re visiting.

Every Friday new booking slots will be released for visits the following week. You can book up to 18 hours before a timeslot.

Due to limited spaces, the National Trust is asking people to only book once a week to allow others a chance to visit. It’s also prioritising the first and last timeslots each day for key workers and is asking non-key workers to leave these free. “If you or someone in your group are a key worker, please take the opportunity to book these early and late timeslots,” says the website.

More new places will be added each Friday, so if your local National Trust park or garden isn’t showing as open yet, keep checking back each week.

How will my visit be different?

Visitors are asked to have tickets ready to show staff before they arrive, either on a phone or a printed copy. Members will also need to have their membership cards ready to show.

In order to maintain social distancing, visitors are asked to arrive within their booked timeslot. If you’re more than 10 minutes late, there’s no guaranteed entry.

To keep visitor numbers at a safe level, the layout and flow of the car park may have changed. Look out for staff and any signs around the car park and take care to follow their guidance.

Campervans that are used for transport are welcome but are not permitted to stay overnight. Caravans and coaches are currently not permitted.

Brooklyn park debuts 'human parking spots' to promote social distancing

Once inside the grounds, new routes, such as a one-way system, may have been introduced. Visitors are advised to look out for any new signs around the property.

Some facilities will be closed, such as cafés and food outlets, and some toilets. Before you visit, you can check which facilities will be open on the property web page.

Policies on dogs and play areas may also have changed – check the property web page before your visit for the most up to date information.

Which properties’ parks and gardens are reopening on 3 June?

South West

Corfe Castle, Dorset

Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Killerton, Devon

Lacock, Wiltshire

Midlands

Attingham Park, Shropshire

Belton House, Lincolnshire

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

Hardwick, Derbyshire

London and the South East

Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

Hinton Ampner, Hampshire

Mottisfont, Hampshire

Polesden Lacey, Surrey

Stowe, Buckinghamshire

Scotney Castle, Kent

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Standen House and Garden, West Sussex

Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

The Vyne, Hampshire

Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire

North

Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire

Gibside, Tyne & Wear

Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester

Lyme, Cheshire

Quarry Bank, Cheshire

Wallington, Northumberland

East of England

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire

Ickworth, Suffolk

Sutton Hoo, Suffolk

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

Northern Ireland

Castle Coole, County Fermanagh

Castle Ward, County Down

Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, County Londonderry

Florence Court, County Fermanagh

Mount Stewart, County Down

Portstewart Strand, County Londonderry

Rowallane Garden, County Down

The Argory, County Armagh

Which car parks need to be booked in advance?

Aira Force and Ullswater, Cumbria

Blickling Estate, Norfolk

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk

Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate, Norfolk

Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows, Cambridgeshire

Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Nostell, West Yorkshire