Visiting and booking information

Visitors sitting on a bench at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire in autumn — Visitors at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops and countryside locations are open. Many houses are also open to visit. Here you'll find everything you need to know about what to expect from your visit and whether you need to book.

Latest visiting update

You no longer need to pre-book your visit to many places in England and Wales. For smaller properties where booking has been introduced for guided tours, or to manage visitor numbers for other reasons (such as ferry capacity), booking is still required. Pre-booking is still required for some places in Northern Ireland so please check the property webpage before you travel.

Following government guidance, we've lifted social distancing rules in England and Wales. The safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff remains our top priority. We'll continue to provide hand sanitiser and stick to our high standards of cleanliness.

In England, face coverings are recommended in enclosed and crowded areas. In Wales, face coverings are still mandatory indoors, except in places where food and drink are served e.g. cafés and tea rooms. Different restrictions remain in place in Northern Ireland, so please continue to follow the relevant guidance for the country you're visiting.

Please note that as with many organisations and places across the country, some staff or volunteers are having to self-isolate, so some properties – or parts of properties – are having to temporarily close. Please check the property webpage before you travel for the latest updates and visiting advice.

Places you need to book

Find out which places you still need to book in advance, and learn how you can join one of our new guided tour experiences.

Plan your visit

Staff member talking with visitors at Allan Bank, Cumbria

Got a question?

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting and using the booking system.

What to expect from your visit

The safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff remains our top priority. We've been accredited with the official 'We're Good To Go' mark from Visit England, Tourism Northern Ireland and Visit Wales recognising that our places are safe to visit and adhere to government guidance.

Please follow the latest government guidance when you visit. Restrictions vary in England, Wales and Northern Ireland so please follow the relevant guidance for the country you're visiting
If you’re showing any of the symptoms of coronavirus, or if you've been in contact with anyone that has the virus in the last 10 days, please don’t visit
In line with government guidance in Northern Ireland, you're required to wear a face covering in many places, unless you're exempt. In Wales face coverings are still mandatory indoors, except in places where food and drink are served e.g. cafés and tea rooms. In England, face coverings are recommended in enclosed and crowded areas.
We're thrilled that we've been able to reopen more places to eat, drink and shop. Please check the property webpage to see which facilities will be open for your visit
Dogs need to be on leads at certain places. You can check the property webpage before your visit for the most up to date information and please look out for any signs during your visit
Campervans that are used for transport are welcome but are not permitted to stay overnight. At this time we’re unable to welcome caravans and coaches

Caring for these places of beauty takes hard work, and with your ongoing support, we’ll be able to continue to conserve the parks and countryside, gardens and historical spaces that we all love. Over the last 125 years, your generosity has helped to protect 780 miles of coastline, thousands of listed buildings and over 200 gardens. It's thanks to your membership and donations that we're able to look after these historical and natural havens for everyone to enjoy for ever.