Gardening At Patterson Park Baltimore

The National Trust has announced it will be keeping its parks, gardens and countryside sites open during England's second national lockdown.

Following the government's announcement for the new month-long measures, the charity has said it intends to keep its outdoor spaces open but will sadly close all houses, shops and holiday accommodation in England from Thursday 5th November.

Only visitors with pre-purchased tickets will be accepted into the beautiful gardens and parklands to ensure people maintain social distancing. Elsewhere, they will will also keep coast and countryside sites and carparks open.

'We follow government advice and guidance at all times, in each of the nations we serve,' said Hilary McGrady, the charity's Director General. 'We know how important access to green space, nature and fresh air are to people, and we'll do everything we can to provide them during the next phase.

'Our priorities will remain the safety and well-being of visitors, staff and volunteers. We know this month is going to be tough for everyone and we want to give members and visitors as much pleasure, rest and enjoyment as we can.'

The Trust explained it would, where possible, give visitors the chance to take away food and drink from its coffee shops. While the indoor shops are closed, their online store will continue to offer customers gifts, garden and home items, books and clothing.

Autumn Colours Reach Their Peak In The UK

Matt Cardy Getty Images

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the individual properties on National Trust's website.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? Subscribe to House Beautiful magazine today and get each issue delivered directly to your door.

Update article: 29th May 2020

The National Trust has announced a phased reopening of 29 gardens and parklands across England and Northern Ireland from Wednesday 3rd June, after being closed for 10 weeks.

The move comes after the UK government updated its advice on ticketed garden venues on 23rd May, confirming that the public in England can now visit gardens and land maintained for public use.

Only visitors with pre-purchased tickets will be accepted into the gardens, however, the indoor sites – including houses, cafés and shops – will remain closed for the foreseeable.

'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,' says Hilary McGrady, Director General at the National Trust.

'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.'

An online booking system will enable members and non-members to purchase tickets, while opening decisions at each garden will be made with safety and local conditions in mind (if the gardens get too busy they may have to close again).

Elsewhere, they are also urging people to limit how many visits they book, to avoid busy areas and to stay local if they can. Car parks will also be monitored regularly to check capacity levels.

Hilary added: '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.'

Updated article: 21st March 2020

The National Trust is closing all parks and gardens today at midnight, just four days after announcing it had hoped to keep some gardens open to the public for free amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks .

Now, the National Trust is asking the public and its members to avoid travel and comply with social distancing guidance set by the government.

The move follows the closure of pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and leisure centres, which was announced by the government on Friday, as well as the latest travel restrictions and public health advice.

On Thursday (19th March), the Trust urged caution that a fair weather forecast and the upcoming Mother's Day on Sunday could tempt people onto the roads over the weekend, asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel and stay local, as National Trust sites would close if high demand meant social distancing could not be enforced.

Director General, Hilary McGrady, said in a new statement (21st March): 'Despite our desire to keep our outdoor spaces open, the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors has to be our top priority. Having observed the numbers visiting our properties today I am no longer convinced we can maintain social distancing over Mother's Day when numbers are likely to grow, and beyond.

'We have now sadly taken the decision to close all of our parks and gardens, in addition to our houses, shops and cafes, to avoid crowding that puts social distancing at risk.

'We know that people are likely to need space and fresh air in the coming weeks and months and we will do all we can to provide access wherever possible. Our countryside and coastal locations remain open with parking charges waived, but we encourage people to stay local and observe social distancing measures.'

Mike_Boyland Getty Images

National Trust says over the coming weeks its website, social media feeds, podcasts and video will be an even more important platform for the conservation charity to use, ensuring that places of nature, beauty and history that can remain open for the business virtually while they temporarily close.

National Trust says it will be 'ramping up our efforts to help people connect with nature wherever they are and to find moments of joy in the world around them. We will be providing rich content and staying in touch with our members and followers throughout this time'.

Original article: 18th March 2020

The National Trust is aiming to keep as many of its gardens and parklands open, free of charge, amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks in the UK.

With the government's social distancing guidance in place, the National Trust is hoping the nation can use these open spaces alongside the coast and countryside to relax and refresh.

There will still, however, be closures in place. The Trust announced it will be closing its pay-for-entry sites including houses, cafés and shops by Friday 20th March.

The National Trust's Director-General Hilary McGrady said in a statement: 'The National Trust was founded 125 years ago for the benefit of the entire nation. We want to honour our mission – to enable people and nature to thrive. Over the coming weeks we will do all that we can to keep on providing public benefit through caring for places and giving people access wherever possible.

'While we will close our indoor areas to help fight the spread of coronavirus, we recognise that people are likely to need access to open space.'

In these unprecedented times, taking a peaceful walk through gardens can give us much needed fresh air and exercise, and a chance to slow down, notice nature, and reset.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the individual properties on National Trust's website.

Social distancing guidelines

Alongside the self-isolation guidelines, the government has introduced social distancing measures to reduce the level of social interaction between people, and therefore to help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The government said 'everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic'.

The guidelines are:

Avoid contact with anyone displaying symptoms of coronavirus
Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible
Work from home, where possible
Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation . If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

22 best gardening gifts under £35

Gardening letterbox gift — Gardening Gifts

RHS Gardening Letterbox Gift

Treat your gardening-loving friend to this wonderful RHS gift set. Small enough to fit through the letterbox, it includes a pair of gardening gloves and a handy set of wooden plant labels.

Wildflower bomb — Gardening Gifts

Pollinator Beebom, Wildflower Seed Mix

nationaltrust.org.uk

£4.50

These easy-to-use seedboms biodegrade into the environment leaving only plants behind. The ultimate stocking filler, each pack contains Cornflowers, Vipers Bugloss, Wild Marjoram, Red Clover, Borage & Phacelia.

SEE MORE: 6 steps to sowing wildflower seeds in your garden

Gardening gloves — Gardening Gifts

Burgon & Ball Flora & Fauna Gardening Gloves, Medium

Burgon & Ball johnlewis.com

£14.99

Gloves are a must-have for gardeners. With a sweet bird print and ultra-soft fell palms, this Burgon & Ball style is perfect for all.

Plant care set — Gardening Gifts

Plantsmith Houseplant Care Gift Box

Surprise plant parents with this houseplant care gift set. Featuring plant food, tonic and care mist, it has all the essential nutrients to help keep plants happy and healthy.

Trowel box set — Gardening Gifts

Sophie Conran trowel gift boxed

Sophie Conran crocus.co.uk

£19.99

Presented in a lovely box, this Sophie Conran trowel makes the perfect gift for your garden-loving friend.

Slate market — Gardening Gifts

Engraved Slate Plant Marker

gettingpersonal.co.uk

£9.99

Make a friend or family member smile with this lovely personalised state plant marker.

Plant pot — Gardening Gifts

Dutch Floral Patterned Plant Pot

notonthehighstreet.com

£11.95

Have you ever seen a more beautiful plant pot? These even come with their own bulbs, so expect Delft Blue Hyacinth to blossom next spring.

Tool bag — Gardening Gifts

Sophie Conran tool bag

Sophie Conran crocus.co.uk

£23.99

Keep tools and accessories neatly stored away with this stylish gardening bag. Designed by Sophie Conran, it's water resistant, wipe clean and has practical restraining straps to keep your items safe.

Hand lotion — Gardening Gifts

Lemon and Rosewood Organic Hand Lotion

nationaltrust.org.uk

£14.00

Gardening is often tough on the hands, so it's important for regular gardeners to look after their skin. Trust us, this hand cream will go down a treat...

Gardening tea towel — Gardening Gifts

Dig the Earth Tea Towel

emmabridgewater.co.uk

£12.00

Dry up dishes in style with Emma Bridgewater's tea towel featuring everything you might find in a potting shed.

Watering can — Gardening Gifts

Mini Green Earthenware Watering Can

Formed from earthenware and finished with a glaze, this watering can is a must-have for avid gardeners.

Bee house — Gardening Gifts

Shetland Hexagonal Bee House

gardentrading.co.uk

£25.00

Encourage bees into the garden with this affordable bee house. Designed to imitate honeycomb's hexagonal shapes, it's the perfect nesting site.

Garden kneeler — Gardening Gifts

Canvas Garden Kneeler

notonthehighstreet.com

£24.95

This practical canvas kneeler is a must-have for every gardening aficionado. Its long handle makes it incredible practical to hang in a shed or garage after use.

Ceramic plant set — Gardening Gifts

Personalised RHS Set Of Two Ceramic Planters

gettingpersonal.co.uk

£22.99

Get personal with your gift ideas and give something printed with your own message. These ceramic planters make excellent presents.

Great for book lovers — Gardening Gifts

Wild at Home: Style & Care for Beautiful Plants Book

A book is always a good idea. Wild at Home is a great title to gift plant and garden lovers alike.

Hand fork — Gardening Gifts

Hawkesbury Hand Fork

gardentrading.co.uk

£12.00

Every gardener needs a practical hand fork. Tidy up flower beds and borders with this three-pronged hand tool from Garden Trading.

Planter — Gardening Gifts

Lloyd the Llama Ceramic Planter

Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com

£15.00

Keep succulents and small cacti in this sweet llama-shaped ceramic planter.

Potted plant — Gardening Gifts

50cm Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum | 13cm Pot | By Plant Theory

Bring a smile to your friend's face with this peace lily in a soft grey pot. With dark green foliage and long-lasting white flowers, it's a beautiful way to brighten any room.

Garden tools mug — Gardening Gifts

Seconds Good Gardening Gardening Tools 1/2 Pint Mug

emmabridgewater.co.uk

£14.95

With a gardening tools design, this gorgeous mug is a brilliant gift for every garden lover.

Workshop — Gardening Gifts

Chilli Grower Workshop for Two

virginexperiencedays.co.uk

£20.00

Learning new skills are always exciting. This experience gift will give guests the chance to professionally learn how to grow their own chillis at home.

Bird food tin — Gardening Gifts

Burgon & Ball Enamel Bird Feed Tin, Cream

Burgon & Ball johnlewis.com

£22.49

This enamel tin is an incredibly stylish way to store bird seeds. We're certain it will make a well-received gift.

Fat ball set — Gardening Gifts

Fat Ball Bird Seed Gift Box

notonthehighstreet.com

£25

This gift box will give your gardening friends a step in the right direction to help care for any small garden birds.

FollowHouse Beautiful on Instagram.

Olivia Heath Executive Digital Editor, House Beautiful UK Olivia Heath is the Executive Digital Editor at House Beautiful UK where she's busy uncovering tomorrow's biggest home trends, all whilst delivering stylish room inspiration, small space solutions, easy garden ideas and house tours of the hottest properties on the market.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io