National Trust to start reopening its gardens and parklands from June 3

The National Trust is urging people to stay local where possible
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The National Trust is set to start reopening some of its sites across the UK as lockdown restrictions ease.

While it has already reopened some of its coastal and country walking car parks, like the hugely popular White Cliffs of Dover site, the Trust has said a ‘small number’ of gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland will start to reopen from June 3, but it has not yet been confirmed which will open.

While it is now permitted to travel for exercise, the Trust continues to urge people to observe social distancing measures and stay local where possible.

A National Trust spokesperson says: “Throughout this pandemic we have followed government advice, so the update to government guidance on ticketed outdoor venues is welcomed and allows us to finalise our plans for reopening our gardens and parkland.

”Any reopening will need to be phased and gradual, and in order to maintain social distancing and public safety we have a pre-booking system in place. Visits to our gardens and parklands will be available for booking shortly before the reopening of each place. The details of our reopening plans will be published in the coming days.”

The Trust furloughed close to 80 per cent of its staff in March (11,200 people) and some staff will need to be taken off furlough as parks and gardens start to reopen.

Wildlife returns to National Trust sites - in pictures

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The Telegraph reports that Director general of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady told the Parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee earlier this month that the Trust faces a £200 million deficit due to the pandemic, its membership cancellations are at four times the usual rate and historic houses may not be able to open until the end of August.

McGrady added: “Our members want us to be open, but they do want us to open safely. And we will do this in a really controlled and careful way, that’s why we’ve introduced the booking system.

“But it is incredibly important just for, apart from anything else, the mental wellbeing of the nation that they can get out, and access places like the National Trust."

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