The National Trust is opening even more of its historic places to the public over the coming week.
The conservation charity has hit the milestone of its fifth millionth visitor since lockdown lifted in June, as people continued to enjoy exploring local attractions and cultural venues during the summer months.
The Trust has been steadily reopening its places with a series of new safety measures to manage capacity and social distancing, including a booking system, new one-way routes through its houses and gardens and increased hygiene procedures.
Thirty-one of the Trust’s houses and over 135 gardens and parklands are now open, with more – including Lanhydrock in Cornwall - set to unlock their doors in the coming week.
John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Culture and Engagement at the National Trust, said: “Reaching five million visits this summer feels like a big milestone.
“We know how important culture, nature, and places of beauty are to our members and supporters, and that’s why it was so sad to have to close our gates, but when the Government guidance changed, we started the process of reopening as quickly and as safely as possible.
“What has been really heartening is seeing families reuniting after months of lockdown, people returning to their favourite property - or discovering one for the first time – and members getting their fix of culture, history and the outdoors.
“Every person through our doors is helping to look after these historic buildings, collections and gardens, and to make sure we can carry out state-of-the-art conservation projects.”
The charity’s houses began to open on 13 July with a pilot scheme to test the challenges of opening a range of different types of properties over the coming months.
An advanced booking system is in place with tickets combining access to the house and gardens. Due to limits on capacity, it may not be possible for everyone to access the house during their visit.
Cafes too have been welcoming back visitors.
Amongst the places set to reopen from Monday are Buckland Abbey in Devon and Lanhydrock House near Bodmin.
Buckland Abbey is part museum, part house, and filled with treasures. It’s 700-year history takes in the Cistercians who built the Abbey and farmed the estate, to seafarers Sir Roger Grenville and Sir Francis Drake. The Great Barn was used for the storage and winnowing of corn and is today home to a cider press, a reminder of the 27 acres of orchards that once stretched down to the river.
Booking: garden, estate, restaurant, shop and Abbey (ground floor) open. First floor reopens 14 September. Pre-book: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
Lanhydrock is a late Victorian country home surrounded by extensive gardens and ancient woodland. After a devastating fire in 1881, the Jacobean house was refurbished in high-Victorian style, with the best in country house design and planning and the latest mod-cons including central heating systems and fire hydrants. The 35m long Gallery which survived the fire contains the National Trust’s oldest large library and an ornate plasterwork ceiling.
Booking: countryside, garden, café and cycle trails open. House reopens 14 September. Pre book: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock