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Original poster

National Trust

181 replies

UncleBillyLostHisWilly · 21/03/2020 14:48

AIBU to think the National Trust have made the wrong decision to allow free entry in the current Covid-19 pandemic?

I live near a NT site and the place has been swarmed today, cars abandoned all over the place and mass swarms of people of all ages congregating in quite a small area.

Surely this goes against the advise of social distancing?

What were the NT thinking when they made this decision I do not know but there is a difference between going out to get some fresh air on a country walk as opposed the opening up well known tourist attractions for the masses to descend on and socialise.

OP posts:
Pedallleur · 21/03/2020 17:28

If you are thrashing your way round a supermarket touching trolley/basket handles, atm keyboards, petrol pump handles etc I can't see why going out to a large open space with no one there is something frowned upon. On my bike tomorrow and I might stop for a delicious pie and cake from a bakers that will bag them up and be glad of my custom

halcyondays · 21/03/2020 17:33

I agree. I’m sure they meant well but it’s just going to encourage groups of friends to meet up. If they’re as busy as some of our local ones are at Easter there won’t be much social distancing going on.

JellyfishandShells · 21/03/2020 17:34

I'm just wondering if members are going to get their money back, as they pay a lot per year to go there, and it's just open to everyone free

Membership gives access to everything, not just grounds and many NT places have free access to parkland etc at all times anyway

Also, what an incredibly mean spirited thing to say, during an exceptional time ( and I am a member)

DappledThings · 21/03/2020 17:35

We are members of both EH and NT. Wouldn't cross my mind to ask for refunds. We pay membership to help keep all these places maintained so we can continue to enjoy them in the future. Same as we are members of the British Museum even though we hardly get to take advantage of free entry to their temporary exhibitions anymore.

It's no skin off my nose if some people are now getting to seen some grounds free whereas I'm still paying. Really pretty attitude.

TabbyMumz · 21/03/2020 17:50

I"t's no skin off my nose if some people are now getting to seen some grounds free whereas I'm still paying. Really pretty attitude."
It's not some people, it's all people, millions of people in fact...all year!!! People have been talking on here about gym membership and cancelling that etc., this is no different.

Amanduh · 21/03/2020 17:52

We went thinking we could have a nice long quiet walk. There was a 20 minute queue just for carpark and people sitting next to each other on all the picnic benches eating!

Original poster
UncleBillyLostHisWilly · 21/03/2020 17:59

@Amanduh
Yeh this is what I mean about people not social distancing.
I know a PP said where the visit they had removed benches but not all of the places have and this is where the close contact comes in, as well as the surfaces harbouring the virus should anyone have it and thus passing on to multiple people.

OP posts:
cologne4711 · 21/03/2020 18:01

I don't really know about golf, but I do know that they have changing rooms and shite, as well as bars and restaurants

I went for a run this morning near a golf club. It was open, the clubhouse and bar were not.

LargeGinOnTap · 21/03/2020 18:04

Yabu in that people should be going to get some fresh air and it s encourages exercise out doors

Yanbu in that I went to a local NT place today. It wasn't heaving it was fairly busy. But people on paths were walking 3 a breast on a narrow path. Big groups of several families walking together. So it was hard to be socially distant. When passing them going in the other direction

DappledThings · 21/03/2020 18:14

People have been talking on here about gym membership and cancelling that etc., this is no different

It is different. Gyms are not charities.

And pretty was meant to be petty in my original post although pretty works if read sarcastically.

lachy · 21/03/2020 18:25

We've been for a walk today to NT place not far from Ashridge. It was pretty busy, but no-one I saw was ignoring social distancing conventions.

I have no problem with non members walking around the grounds, in fact if they have enjoyed their walk, then it might encourage them to join.

We pay our membership because we want to be able to visit beautiful places and spend time in gardens, woods and beaches.

SpockPaperScissorsLizardRock · 21/03/2020 18:50

I was thinking about going to Fountains Abbey tomorrow but certainly won't now!

It will be a walk in the usually deserted woods by our house instead.

Dreading a full lockdown happening as autistic DS has been horrendous today :-(

changethebed · 21/03/2020 18:51

I live near a private beach which had been opening for free but after today they have closed because it was far too busy.

mrsmalcolmreynolds · 21/03/2020 19:00

It's not as you describe everywhere OP. We went to a local NT property this morning and although the car park was busy people weren't generally at neighbouring cars at the same time and everyone was very good about being a good distance apart in the grounds.

MNHQ
LouMumsnet · 21/03/2020 19:40

We've moved this over to our coronavirus topic now, @UncleBillyLostHisWilly Flowers

Pedallleur · 21/03/2020 19:46

Ŕeading in the paper of people off to their holiday homes in sw England and east coast resorts packed today. Oh and we are advised to wear gloves as petrol pump handles spread the virus. What about thosevsupermarket freezernhandles?

BubblesBuddy · 21/03/2020 20:38

Or basket and trolley handles?! Personally I wouldn’t queue up for a NT car park but it’s good that people know where they are for the next few months. It’s early days and there won’t be such queues later on except for the bank holidays.

Charity owned open spaces are not everywhere. There are of course footpaths, bridleways and tow paths. It’s important people look at all options.

SuperMumTum · 21/03/2020 20:53

They just put this update on their FB page....

We’ve sadly taken the decision to close our parks and gardens, in addition to our houses, shops and cafés, to help restrict the spread of coronavirus. We know that people are likely to need space and fresh air in the coming weeks and months and we will do all we can to provide access wherever possible. Our countryside and coastal locations remain open with parking charges waived, but we encourage people to stay local and observe social distancing measures.

nicknackpaddy · 21/03/2020 21:04

I think golf clubs and similar are allowed to open as long as the club houses are closed and no communal equipment is used.

Original poster
UncleBillyLostHisWilly · 21/03/2020 21:10

@SuperMumTum
Ah I wonder if the NT have been overwhelmed by the uptake of the free pass.

I think there has been a lot of discussions on Twitter about it too.

OP posts:
SuperMumTum · 21/03/2020 21:18

They were bound to be overwhelmed this weekend anyway with it being a dry one and mothers day. Now there is no where else to go I'm not surprised they were rammed. Shame, I would have liked to do some exploring with the kids over the coming weeks but never mind.

stuckinthemiddlewithtwats · 21/03/2020 21:53

Not NT, but a local historical spot near us was rammed today. My DP took me there to propose as he assumed it would be very quiet - it was the complete opposite. Far more busy than usual, kids playing in the playground mixing with other random kids, the tightly packed seating area outside the closed cafe was completely full and all were complaining loudly about the lack of alcohol in the supermarkets. There was absolutely zero attempt at staying away from other people - people are just treating this as free time off work. If the kids are mixing with other kids then they might as well have stayed in school.
We drove past a number of other local walking spots and all of the car parks were at full capacity.

Marieo · 21/03/2020 22:03

Well they have closed them now, aside from a few.

Tothemoonandbackx · 21/03/2020 22:05

But you still went out didn't you??? X

happyandsingle · 21/03/2020 22:20

And if we all stay inside for months of end we will all be seriously lacking in viteman d. My daughter has low levels already and is on supplements I still need to get her out for fresh air and a bit of sun.