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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:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 21/03/2020 22:22

I've just bloody enrolled for NT in January. And I bought my kids new shoes two weeks before all the school shut down.

My comment is lighthearted btw I'm not an actual dickhead. But it does feel a bit ludicrous.

surreygirl1987 · 21/03/2020 22:23

I think it was a poor decision from NT to open up to everyone for free. A nice idea, definitely, but the consequences clearly weren't thought through. I'm a member and go to NT gardens once or twice every week, summer or winter, as I have a very active toddler and NT properties are one of the few buggy friendly places around. We never go in the houses but wander round the gardens for ages. We went out to one this afternoon and it was absolutely heaving. We were lucky to get a parking space - people were parked all down the grass verges. I have NEVER seen that particular property like that before, even last summer! People were wandering round in large crowds, kids on the swings- it was not acceptable. I was annoyed earlier today about the fact that this huge influx of people was likely in part due to NT opening it up for free. It's not the money I care about but the increase in numbers. When I saw the message about the closure this evening I was even more annoyed. Yes, maybe they would have had to close any way, even if they kept it to paid members only. But now we won't know. And it is frustrating that one of the only easily accessible and toddler/buggy friendly local places is no longer open to anyone as a result. We can't keep our toddler locked in the house all day. But now our options are even more limited as we are avoiding anywhere indoors apart from out own home. I'm pregnant too so doing my best to avoid lots of people. And the sad irony is, if NT gardens are closed, that will push people even more closely together in other local areas - parks for instance. It's going to lead to a knock on effect.

Oldieandgoldie · 21/03/2020 22:24

@stuckinthemiddlewithtwats ......what happened? Did he, or didn’t he?

BiarritzCrackers · 21/03/2020 22:30

Absolutely the right thing to close up, after they were so busy today, but it was predictable surely? NT places are always really crowded when it's nice weather - I can't understand why they thought only a few dozen would show up for a nice, spacious walk.

There's a very nice open air museum place (lots of old buildings, reassembled there) and just seen on Twitter it's open tomorrow (free to Mums!!). I just want to yell in frustration.

ffswhatnext · 21/03/2020 22:31

Erm to socially distance yourself you cannot travel in a car with anyone.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 21/03/2020 22:33

Erm to socially distance yourself you cannot travel in a car with anyone

Travelling in a car with the people you live with and share a toilet with is absoloutley fine.

SirGawain · 21/03/2020 22:33

They has just said that they closing all properties fro midnight.

SirGawain · 21/03/2020 22:36

Sorry about the typos it's been a long day.

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 21/03/2020 22:37

This is null and void now, they are all closing from Monday.

Alsohuman · 21/03/2020 22:42

So I've paid for a year and everyone else gets in free!! I'm paying for everyone else!

I bloody despair of the human race sometimes. People are fucking dying and all some people care about is someone else getting something they haven’t paid for. How small minded and petty can you get?

LeeMiller · 21/03/2020 22:52

It's a nice idea, but they didn't think it through. There's a reason other countries have closed parks, beaches, natural areas popular for walks etc.

Same as the NHS staff + elderly shopping hour - sure the intention is good but they're adding to the problem.

Lifeisgenerallyfun · 21/03/2020 22:54

As soon as they said they were opening places for free this was always going to happen. Such a shame. I see the Lake District and highlands are also inundated. Beaches are being closed around the country as they are packed.

Think we are going to face lock down soon. Why can’t people be sensible? It’s c like the final part of Brave New World where people flock to the previously deserted countryside so they can witness some freakish behaviour. And look how that turned out.

MyDcAreMarvel · 21/03/2020 23:04

Bbc news at 10 said they closing now anyway.

ffswhatnext · 21/03/2020 23:08

Travelling in a car with the people you live with and share a toilet with is absoloutley fine

That’s assuming they have all been self isolating before all getting the car together. And no one has been in the car for x amount of hours.

A lot of schools only broke up yesterday. If any of them have it, they will be symptomless.

ffswhatnext · 21/03/2020 23:10

Wasn’t that what caused things to escalate so quickly in Europe. Schools closed, parents packed up the cars and went into holiday mode?

Littlemeadow123 · 21/03/2020 23:11

They are trying to make wide open spaces accessible. Coronavirus or no coronavirus, we do need fresh air and exercise.

AlexaAmbidextra · 21/03/2020 23:15

I just love it that the vast majority of people on this thread complaining about people going out ...............went out! You couldn’t make it up. 🙄

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 21/03/2020 23:20

Yes ffs but all the passengers in the car live together. So what exactly is the issue with them being in a car together? They use the same loo. Same kitchen. Same sofa.

middleager · 21/03/2020 23:23

Terrible decision.

I had to pick up a prescription today and cut through a park.

It was packed to the rafters. A boy kicked his ball right by me and ran over, couple walked right behind me and on a single footpath/road I had to keep moving over, desperately aiming for 2-3m apart, whenever I spotted anybody was near.

I was dressed in hat, scarf and gloves.

In the park were groups of extended families herded together, opening the gate with the handle.

People have a false sense of security being outside.

Also, a car bump, a crash, a dog bite, a fall could all lead to extra NHS resources being used on non essential jollies.

imnottoofussed · 21/03/2020 23:26

New announcement from national trust to say they are closing www.nationaltrust.org.uk/press-release/the-national-trusts-latest-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19

ffswhatnext · 21/03/2020 23:28

The difference is, social avoidance stops the spread within your home.

It’s hard of course it is. All having to sit far away from each other. Not kissing, even on the cheek without washing. Not cuddling without washing.

BiarritzCrackers · 21/03/2020 23:29

I think locking down will be the only thing that will work, which is really annoying for those who have been following the measures and only leaving home for food and short walks, as that will be taken away.

My local area is lovely. I consider myself lucky to live here. It means when I go for a walk, I get gorgeous views and scenery. But even if I lived somewhere uninspiring, I really hope I would just suck it up for a few months because, you know, we are experiencing a pandemic... People are coming in from miles around and posting on Insta and Twitter that they are "self isolating and getting fresh air in xxxxxx!!".

JellyfishandShells · 21/03/2020 23:32

*The difference is, social avoidance stops the spread within your home.

It’s hard of course it is. All having to sit far away from each other. Not kissing, even on the cheek without washing. Not cuddling without washing*

Don’t be ridiculous .

TheArchSorcererofContwaraburg · 21/03/2020 23:38

This is why people have to be locked down. Because they're too fucking dumb to police themselves.

Alsohuman · 21/03/2020 23:48

*The difference is, social avoidance stops the spread within your home.

It’s hard of course it is. All having to sit far away from each other. Not kissing, even on the cheek without washing. Not cuddling without washing*

Don’t be ridiculous*

What’s ridiculous? My bloke’s high risk, I haven’t touched him for over a week at his request.