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From tomorrow, under the Government's roadmap out of restrictions, measures will be eased so that we can plan days out again.
With changes from Monday, March 29 including being able to meet outdoors and in public gardens; and the rule of the 'stay at home' order replaced with 'stay local', more attractions are opening their doors to their outdoor spaces, grounds and gardens - and we can go a little bit further to visit them.
English Heritage will be allowing the public to visit more than 50 of their historic sites across the country, which have all been closed since December.
For now, the focus is on outdoor spaces, but with groups of six also permitted to meet outdoors from the end of the month, it’s a great opportunity to plan days out.
“It’s been a long, long winter and our sites – with their wide open spaces, beautiful buildings, fun events and fascinating stories – will be the tonic we all need,” says Kate Mavor, English Heritage’s chief executive.
Dover Castle
The historic castle’s grounds and gardens will be open from Monday, March 29, but only to local visitors. You also need to book timed-tickets in advance and limits on visitor numbers have been introduced. Admission prices have been reduced while the interior areas are closed.
Down House, near Biggin Hill
Biologist Charles Darwin made this country house his family home. The gardens doubled as an outdoor laboratory, allowing the revolutionary theorist to refine many of his ideas. The weed garden played an important role in informing his theory of natural selection. Visitors can follow his Sand Walk, a trail surrounded by native trees, or explore greenhouses filled with orchids and carnivorous plants – fertile grounds for his work on plant growth and pollination.
St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury
Just outside Canterbury’s ancient city walls, the abbey was originally created as a burial place for the Anglo Saxon kings of Kent. A World Heritage Site, the tranquil ruins are a place to learn about the rebirth of Christianity in the county after the Romans left - and is also a great place to walk your dog or stop for a picnic. The abbey reopens to pre-booked visitors from March 29, with takeaway catering available.
Walmer Castle, near Deal
The gardens and grounds of Walmer Castle have stayed open to local visitors during lockdown, with over eight acres of award-winning gardens, situated in the grounds of a picturesque coastal castle. Over the school Easter holidays, running from Monday, March 29 to Sunday, April 18, younger visitors can crack the clues and search for the dragon eggs on quest boards around the outdoor trail through the castle grounds. There is a chocolate treat and a certificate as a reward for finding the hatched dragon. It costs £1.50 per child which includes a handy pencil for the quest plus normal admission costs.
Nearby Deal Castle is scheduled to reopen on Monday, May 17.
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Brush up on British history with a trip to this famous battleground, where the armies of King Harold and William the Conqueror fought in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings.
Find out how the Norman victory resulted in the introduction of the common law and find the Harold Stone which marks the spot where Harold fell – a turning point in history – while wooden sculptures of soldiers help paint a vivid picture of what happened. Explore the ruins of the Benedictine Battle Abbey, founded by William shortly after his victory, now Grade I listed.
Eltham Place, near Bexley
Venture a little further from home and you can explore 19 acres of award-winning gardens and see the striking art deco mansion. Once a favoured medieval palace and then a Tudor royal residence, Eltham Palace, near Bexley, was transformed by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. Relax in the Rock Garden with its series of pools and cascades running down to the moat and with plenty of wide open spaces, it’s the perfect place to take in the fresh air.
* Visitors to all English Heritage sites need to pre-book slots online. Various admission prices apply. To book and see other sites to see visit english-heritage.org.uk