National Trust parks and gardens in Lincolnshire set to open to public for free in response to coronavirus

National Trust parks and gardens in Lincolnshire are set to open to the public for free in response to coronavirus restrictions.
The National Trust's Belton House park will be open to the public for free, as will Gunby Hall parkland.The National Trust's Belton House park will be open to the public for free, as will Gunby Hall parkland.
The National Trust's Belton House park will be open to the public for free, as will Gunby Hall parkland.

The National trust has announced it is aiming to open many of its gardens and parks for free "during this difficult time", so the nation can use open spaces to relax and refresh, while following the government’s social distancing guidance.

Lincolnshire National Trust venues set to open parkland include Belton House between Sleaford and Grantham and Gunby Hall near Skegness.

The mansion and all family play areas are now closed at Belton and its cafés and shops will close at 5.30pm on Friday, March 20.

But a Belton House National Trust statement said: "In these challenging times there is an ever greater need for fresh air and beauty.

"From Saturday, Belton’s 1,300 acres of gardens and parkland will be open for free, so the local community can use the open spaces to relax and refresh, while following the government’s social distancing guidance, during this difficult time. This will be the same at Gunby Hall and Gardens.

"Woolsthorpe Manor and Tattershall Castle will remain closed."

They added: "We are strictly following Government advice so please keep checking our website for updated information and always check the site before you visit any of our places.

"The wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors remains our top concern."

Director General of the National Trust Hilary McGrady announced that the charity would work hard to keep as many of the Trust’s gardens and parklands open, free of charge, alongside coast and countryside, to encourage the nation to enjoy open space, if appropriate, during the pandemic, while adhering to the government’s social distancing guidance.

Dr McGrady said: “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 and to nature, beauty and history."