Many gardens, parks, coast and countryside sites in the South East are open. Please book your visit in advance using the website, and follow government guidance.
In the South East, houses and other indoor areas are closed. Some cafes are open to offer takeaway refreshments. Please check property opening times and facilities online before visiting us.
As we gradually return to our busy lives, let's take time to note the little milestones of nature that take us through the miracle of spring. Here are seven signs of spring to look out for and take pleasure in.
Oxfordshire is perfect for country walking. There are wildflower meadows on the Buscot and Coleshill estate along the river in west Oxfordshire. White Horse Hill offers incredible views over six counties and there are rolling hills for gentle walks on the Greys Court estate in Oxfordshire.
From patchwork bulb beds at Greys Court to burgeoning borders at Nuffield Place and the secret garden feel of Chastleton, our gardens are bursting with colour this spring.
Bluebells are not the easiest subject to photograph. Dappled light leads to contrast and colour issues and there's the practical aspect of trying not to damage the very thing you're celebrating. Photographer Hugh Mothersole has top tips for phone snappers and professionals alike.
A sea of bluebells in a dappled woodland is one of the most heart-lifting sights of spring in late April and early May. Here are some of the top spots to see them around Buckinghamshire, including Cliveden, Ashridge and Hughenden.
We're one of the most important organisations in the UK for bluebell conservation. A quarter of our woodland is ancient or semi-natural which is an ideal habitat for bluebells.
Natural play on the estate walk at Greys Court, Oxfordshire NT Image / Alex Prain
Come and see us for May half term in Oxfordshire. In the warmer weather, there's lots of fun to be had in the outdoors. There's miles of open space for kids to run around at White Horse Hill or Stowe. They can play hide and seek in the woods at Ashdown or Basildon Park or take a family wander around the quaint villages of Buscot and Coleshill, sampling delicious tea room treats.
From Lady Brunner's intimate walled garden 'haven' at Greys Court to Waddesdon's stunning formal parterres, we have some beautiful gardens around Oxfordshire.
From Greys Court in the Chilterns to the east to Buscot and Coleshill estates in the Vale of the White Horse to the west, there is plenty of beautiful countryside to explore in Oxfordshire.
Visitors in the landscape gardens at Stowe, BuckinghamshireNational Trust Images / John Millar
There are loads of friendly National Trust supporter groups in the Thames Valley. They help support our places like Stowe, Hughenden and Greys Court by volunteering and fundraising. They also get together for fun days out, holidays and lectures.
