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You are here > Visitor Info > More Information > Stay local this bank holiday

Stay local this bank holiday

22nd May 2020

Categories: Visitor News

The National Trust is urging people across England to stay close to home and explore local green spaces and countryside this weekend as part of the collective effort to make easing the lockdown work.

Image: Parke, c/o National Trust.

Following the Government’s relaxation of measures to combat coronavirus allowing people to travel for exercise, visitors have been keen to get to coast and countryside hotspots over the past few days to enjoy the weather. However, there is some concerns that these hotspots could lead to the Trust having to close recently reopened car parks and that too many people gathering would put pressure on emergency services.

The National Trust has begun to open several of the countryside and coastal carparks and typical hostpots are already under pressure due to visitor numbers. The Trust wants people to be aware and to consider staying local rather than planning a long trip this Bank Holiday.

Regional Director for the National Trust in the Midlands, Andy Beer, said: “We fully understand that after eight weeks of lockdown, everyone just wants to get outside to enjoy the good weather, fresh air and the sea or the countryside. But when lots of us do this, we have a major effect on others, the local communities we’re visiting and the emergency services. If the easing of lockdown is going to work, then we need to change our habits a bit.

“We are urging people to think local and go on a new adventure by exploring the green spaces and countryside which are close to them this weekend. Anyone who wants to use a Trust carpark is advised to check the website before travelling, as some larger ones are bookable in advance and may already be fully booked. Visitors should also be aware that there may not be facilities such as toilets and the RNLI lifeguard cover is also currently not in place, so visitors to the coast should exercise great caution. If carparks are full, visitors should depart and return at a quieter time as cars parked along access roads and routes through carparks can block essential access for the emergency services.”

More information on the latest updates and reopening news can be found online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk