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You are here > Visitor Info > More Information > Self isolating? Get a breath of fresh air with the National Trust
18th March 2020
Categories: Visitor News
Following Government advice to self isolate where possible and to avoid crowded areas, you might be wondering how exactly you can fill your day. Don’t worry though, this doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time cooped up inside, visiting wide, open spaces is perfectly fine and everyone needs a bit of fresh air now and again. The National Trust is one of the largest managers of estates, parkland and outdoor space and many sites have wavered fees on their outdoor spaces.
Image: Sidmouth Countryside.
After the latest advice from the UK Government, the National Trust has made the decision to close their pay for entry sites, this includes the houses, cafes and shops which will be closed from 20th March until further notice. However, where possible, they will be keeping as many of their gardens and parkland open free of charge. This, as well as their coast and countryside areas mean that during this time of uncertainty, we can all continue to enjoy wide, open spaces while still observing social distancing.
In a statement on their website, the National Trust’s Director-General, Hilary 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.”
Here are a selection of the open spaces you can visit in Devon:
The Garden at Castle Drogo
Image: Green space at Castle Drogo // from National Trust's Castle Drogo on Instagram.
The Gardens at Overbeck’s
Coleton Fischacre
The Gardens at Killerton
The Gardens at Knighsthayes
The Gardens at Greenway
The Gardens at Buckland Abbey
Finch Foundry
Fingle Bridge
Parke
Hembury and Holne Woods
Ashclyst Forest
Exmouth coastline
Cadover Bridge
Dunsland
Shaugh Bridge
Plymbridge Woods
Image: Plymbridge Woods // National Trust Plymbridge Woods on Instagram.
Sidmouth countryside
Saltram
Little Dartmouth
Brownstone and Coleton Camp
Branscombe
Noss Mayo
Arlington Court
Wembury
South Milton Sands
Mill Bay
Bolberry Down
Bideford Bay
East Soar
Baggy Point
Image: Baggy Point // Blue Grove Croyde on Instagram.
Watersmeet
Heddon Valley
Woolacombe
Mortehoe
Of course, the situation is ever changing, so make sure to check the latest information before making a journey, but for those of you who are concerned at the idea of having to spend time stuck indoors, there are plenty of beautiful places for you to enjoy!
© Visit Devon Community Interest Company