You can now pre-book a visit to these 38 National Trust sites - here’s how

New tickets are set to be released every Friday,  giving customers an option of staggered entry times to choose from. (Credit: National Trust Kingston Lacey)New tickets are set to be released every Friday,  giving customers an option of staggered entry times to choose from. (Credit: National Trust Kingston Lacey)
New tickets are set to be released every Friday, giving customers an option of staggered entry times to choose from. (Credit: National Trust Kingston Lacey)

The National Trust is reopening selected gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland, with use of a staggered booking system, from Wednesday 3 June 2020.

A total of 38 sites are set to reopen for both members and non-members, who have pre-booked specific time slots.

The charity’s announcement follows the government’s decision to ease lockdown measures further in England, and Northern Ireland’s decision to reopen outdoor spaces.

How can I pre-book a ticket?

Tickets can currently be pre-booked through the National Trust website, in order for members of the public to visit their chosen site between Wednesday 3 June and Sunday 7 June.

New tickets are set to be released every Friday, and give customers an option of staggered entry times to choose from. The staggered entry time slots are half an hour long, and customers must arrive within their allocated 30 minute slot.

Once a visitor has entered the site, they can remain until the closing time.

This staggered entry system dramatically reduces the amount of people on the premises at one time, with roughly only a third of their usual visitor numbers allowed access.

A large number of the first wave of tickets have now sold out online, so if you are keen to visit The National Trust soon, you will have to keep your eyes peeled and act fast when tickets are up for grabs next week.

How much do tickets cost?

Pre-booked tickets are free to members of the National Trust.

The cost of entry for adults over the age of 18, who are not members, is £10, and £5 for non-member children above the age of five.

Visitors will not have to pay to use the car parks for the newly reopened sites.

What is open at the sites?

Currently, only the outdoor spaces, such as the parklands and gardens, are open, to adhere to social distancing rules.

Toilets are also open to customers, however properties, galleries, shops, cafes, holiday cottages, and campsites will all remain closed.

Currently there are no changes to all the properties and car parks in Wales, which remain closed, in line with Welsh lockdown rules.

Director General of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, said the charity aimed to reopen gardens and parks "wherever possible”, before adding "things will be very different, particularly at first".

A statement on the Trust’s website reads, “We’ll keep these places open as long as it’s safe for our visitors, staff, volunteers, and local communities. So please always check the property web page before you travel.”

Which sites are now open?

South West

Corfe Castle, DorsetKingston Lacy, Dorset (SOLD OUT)Killerton, DevonLacock, Wiltshire

Midlands

Attingham Park, ShropshireBelton House, LincolnshireClumber Park, NottinghamshireCalke Abbey, Derbyshire (SOLD OUT)Hardwick, Derbyshire

London and the South East

Cliveden, Buckinghamshire (SOLD OUT)Hinton Ampner, HampshireMottisfont, Hampshire (SOLD OUT)Polesden Lacey, Surrey (SOLD OUT)Stowe, Buckinghamshire (SOLD OUT)Scotney Castle, KentSissinghurst Castle Garden, KentStanden House and Garden, West SussexSheffield Park and Garden, East SussexThe Vyne, HampshireWaddesdon, Buckinghamshire

North

Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire (SOLD OUT)Gibside, Tyne & Wear (SOLD OUT)Dunham Massey, Greater ManchesterLyme, CheshireQuarry Bank, CheshireWallington, Northumberland

East of England

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire (SOLD OUT)Ickworth, SuffolkSutton Hoo, SuffolkWimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

Northern Ireland

Castle Coole, County FermanaghCastle Ward, County DownDownhill Demesne and Hezlett House, County LondonderryFlorence Court, County FermanaghMount Stewart, County DownPortstewart Strand, County LondonderryRowallane Garden, County Down (SOLD OUT)The Argory, County Armagh