National Trust Reopens A Selection Of Its Gardens From Today

3 June 2020

If you're a lover of the great outdoors – and of beautifully manicured gardens in particular – you'll be delighted to learn that our fantastic National Trust is reopening a selection of its gardens from today, June 3rd.

The sites in question have been closed in line with the COVID-19 restrictions, but around 29 of them will now be once again opened to members of the public, although admission – at least initially – will be by pre-booked tickets only.

Now-open National Trust sites include Sissinghurst in Kent, Corfe Castle in Dorset, Lacock in Wiltshire, Hardwick in Derbyshire, Cliveden and Waddesdon in Buckinghamshire, and Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.

The full list of newly opened sites can be found here, but be sure to get a ticket before making plans.

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.”

Elsewhere, the National Trust have now opened over 200 coast and countryside car parks in England and Northern Ireland.

Visit National Trust gardens with us...

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens in Kent

If you book a place on our Gardens of Kent & Sussex holiday, we'll be making a stop at the magnificent site at Sissinghurst. Take a walk up the tower to gaze upon Vita Sackville-West's writing room, wander among glorious flowers expertly planted in the well-kept gardens and discover the stories of those who called Sissinghurst home.

To book a place or to learn more, click here.

Alnwick Garden

Not a National Trust property, but absolutely worthy of a mention, Alnwick Garden is one of those places that stays with you long after you visit. The Duchess of Northumberland’s vision for a forgotten plot is now a truly 21st century experience full of imagination, inspiration and fun. Designed by Jacques and Peter Wirtz, The Garden is a wonderful combination of spaces, themes, quirkiness and play – and even includes a treehouse.

To book a place or to find out more, click here.

Hidcote Manor

Another NT property awaits, this time on our Highgrove & the Cotswolds tour. Hidcote Manor is among the best-known gardens in Britain and was begun before World War I by an American, Major Lawrence Johnston, who devised a type of garden that many think of as quintessentially English. It is built up of separate rooms, each connected to the rest but often with blazing contrasts, laid out in a disciplined setting.

To book a place or to find out more, click here.

Dunham Massey

Our upcoming RHS Bridgewater and Gardens of the North West includes a visit to the National Trust-listed Dunham Massey. Described on its website as, "A garden for all seasons, an ancient deer park and a house filled with treasures and stories", this plantsman's garden is set around an elegant Georgian mansion and is well worth a visit.

To book or to find out more, click here.

Killerton

Venture down to Devon & Cornwall with us and we'll take you to Killerton, where a Georgian house displays a magnificent collection of 18th- 20th century costumes in period rooms (originally known as the Paulise de Bush collection) and countless trees and shrubs thrive in its garden, including rhododendrons, magnolias, stewartias and maples.

To book a place or find out more, click here.