National Trust sells out of booking slots within hours
The National Trust sold out of tickets to its most popular houses within hours as members complained they did not get priority on spaces.
The phased reopening will begin with around 29 gardens and park properties opening from June 3, with only visitors who have booked in advance allowed entry to limit numbers and keep the public safe.
Spaces for the following week will now be released every Friday, and the organisation has asked people to be considerate to others and only book one slot a week.
Some complained that they paid for a membership but are unable to visit properties because places sold out so quickly.
One member, Laura Smeaton, said: "Disappointed that the page to book to visit said ‘page not found’ every time I checked this morning despite other NT sites being able to book. Just tried again now and all sold out. As a key worker and national trust member, can you not keep a number of tickets aside?"
Another, Sophie Chuter, added: "Really disappointed that as an annual national trust member I can’t even get booking when they reopen. Surely members who have already paid should have priority?"
Almost every property in the South East sold out on Friday morning, with the majority of other places around the country selling all their spaces too.
A spokesperson explained: "Over 90 per cent of those booking are members of the National Trust. Charity tax law means our properties must be available to everyone – not just members so we’re unable to offer prioritised booking to anyone.
"Tickets will be released weekly on Fridays.
"We are asking everyone to be considerate and only book one visit a week for the time being."
More sites will open over the coming weeks for properties where social distancing can be observed, and with only around a third of the normal number of visitors permitted.
All National Trust houses and shops remain closed, along with holiday cottages and campsites, and, while coastal and countryside car parks are mostly open, some busier ones may need to be closed or pre-booked, the charity said.
The Royal Horticultural Society is also opening its gardens from June 1 as part of the easing of lockdown, with strictly limited numbers of pre-booked tickets available each day for members and visitors at the four properties.
Safety measures will be brought in, including limiting numbers allowed in the garden centres at any one time and floor markings to help customers queue safely, separate entry and exit points where possible, hand sanitiser points, and card transactions only.
RHS director-general Sue Biggs said: "We are delighted that the Government has said it is safe to reopen our RHS gardens because it is proven that spending time outside in green open spaces surrounded by plants has an immensely positive effect on our health.
"We look forward to welcoming our members and visitors safely back from June 1 and to bringing the joy of plants, flowers, trees and nature back into people's lives, which for so many will be a much-needed tonic."
