National Trust Locations begin to Reopen!

The National Trust have announced the reopening of some of Britain’s best loved public gardens starting from next week, so while the Trust’s houses, shops, holiday cottages and campsites remain closed (in line with government guidelines) it will be possible to visit some of the gardens and parklands.

Most of the Trust’s countryside and coastal car parks are now open, but car parks with a risk of high demand may need to be closed, and some may need to be booked in advance.

Visitors are asked to check property web pages before travelling to see what is open and what needs to be booked. All admission to gardens and parklands will be by pre-booked ticket only.

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.”

Signs at properties and information ahead of visits will advise visitors how to stay safe during their visit and routes will be marked out.

Hilary McGrady said: “I am so thankful that our members and supporters have stood by us as we work through these unprecedented times. We know they desperately want to return to our places, and we need their support to do our vital conservation work to look after the coastline, countryside, rivers and properties in our care.

“Like so many other organisations, the Trust has been badly affected by the coronavirus lockdown, not least our vital conservation work and our finances. Reopening is the first phase of our recovery, and we need our members and supporters to help us make this gradual transition a success so we can get back to offering nature, beauty and history for everyone.”

The latest information and updates on which places and facilities are opened can be found on individual property web pages, please check online before planning a visit. The ticket booking system is also available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS:

Cheshire’s Tatton Park is the most popular National Trust house on Instagram. The site is home to an historic estate with Tudor hall, neo-classical mansion, lavish gardens and a deer park. To date, it has been tagged over 77,000 times on Instagram.

Next is Stourhead, located near Mere, Wiltshire and home to a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden, in second place (53,273 Instagram hashtags.) 

Third is Dunham Massey,in Greater Manchester. Not only does the site hold a garden for all seasons and an ancient deer park, but a house filled with treasures too. A Grade One listed-building, Dunham Massey Hall was built in the early 17^th century by the Earls of Warrington and, at 49,278 hashtags, it’s one of the most photogenic National Trust sites in the UK.

Here is the top 20 National Trust locations captured most on Instagram

Lead image: Mount Stewart, County Down ©National Trust Images Andrew Butler