National Trust sites in Northumberland which are open during lockdown

From rolling hills and sweeping vistas to rugged coastlines and castles, a day out in Northumberland quite literally comes as a breath of fresh air during lockdown.

Add some expansive gardens and grand country houses and the National Trust pretty much lays it all out on a plate for families wanting to escape for a day into the great outdoors.

The charitable organisation, which looks after our sites of natural beauty or historical interest, faced quite a job on its hands as it emerged from the last lockdown to reopen its huge range of properties across the country - and now with another lockdown in force many people will be wondering if they have had to close again.

The good news is that there are still several outside attractions ready and waiting for a visit - with all the necessary social distancing measures in place of course.

While some of the the Trust's big properties remain closed for now, Northumberland is lucky in that there are many sites with vast amounts of open space. And its grand houses too have plenty of gardens and woodland to explore.

Here we list which National Trust sites across the county are still open during lockdown - as well as those which aren't - and how, with new safety measures in place, the ticket and entry system works.

The essential thing - and biggest change from the old pre-Covid days - to remember is to pre-book your visit and to take along your email or phone confirmation as you won't gain admission without it.

And entry is free to National Trust members of course.

It's always also worth checking admission costs as there are a range of possible options with, besides standard tickets, opportunities to pay gift aid prices.

This small extra charge - more in need now than ever - includes a voluntary donation of around 10% and means the venue can reclaim an extra 25% tax, making £1 worth more than £3. Not to be sniffed at when you've been running on empty.

Cragside

Address: Rothbury, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 7PX, 01669 620333

Cragside was home to Lord Armstrong, the Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius, and the house, gardens and woodland was truly a wonder of its age.

The house is the first in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity.

Opening times: Cragside house is currently closed but its beautiful gardens are open now to explore. It does however advise checking its website on your chosen day to visit for any changes due to adverse weather.

Its gardens, woodland and the Carriage Drive are open daily from 11am-3pm (changed from 10am until 4.30pm for winter).

Its car park is open then too. Its shop and tea rooms are closed. Check website on day of visit for changes due to adverse weather conditions. Facilities & Access has further details of exactly what is open. House and shop closed. Property Map only available online.

Admission: Adult £8; Child £4; Family £20; Family one adult £12: see here.

Book here.

Lindisfarne Castle

Address: Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2SH, 01289 389244

The 16th Century castle underwent a major transformation before reopening again for the first time in four years.

Unfortunately it's closed again for now - see here.

When it reopens, visitors can take in - besides its spectacular views - the story of how a former fort became the holiday home of a wealthy Edwardian bachelor seeking a quiet retreat from London. The castle and its idyllic location has intrigued and inspired for centuries.

The hope is to first reopen its famous Gertrude Jekyll Garden, which has Lime Kilns nearby.

But the island is a treasure in itself and the council car park on Holy Island is open. Its Priory - run by English Heritage is hoping to reopen on December 3 for pre-booked visits.But remember to check safe crossing times as the Holy Island causeway is covered by the sea twice a day.

Wallington

Address: Cambo, near Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 4AR, 01670 773600

Wallington was the much-loved home to generations of the unconventional Trevelyan family. Initially, the home of Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, Socialist MP, the 13,000-acre estate has something for everyone. The house is surrounded by an informal landscape of lawns, lakes, woodland, parkland and farmland, just waiting to be explored and visitors should not miss the hidden walled garden, nestled in the woods.

Opening times: The house is closed but countryside, walled garden, woodland, and cycle trails at Wallington are open.

Opening hours are 10am until dusk each day for the estate and woodland; until 4pm for the walled garden and cafe and until 5pm for the cafe. See here.

Admission: Adult £10; Child £5; Family £25; Family (one adult) £15. Tickets are released every Friday. Book here.

Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort

Address: Near Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 6NN, 01434 344525

The National Trust looks after six miles of the World Heritage Site, partnering up with English Heritage, and visitors can enjoy stunning views, explore natural wilderness and become immersed in Roman history while visiting Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort.

The fort is currently closed but hopes to reopen on December 3 for pre-booked visits. Tickets can be booked in advance through English Heritage (and National Trust members can just give their NT membership number.)

They can also walk alongside the wall to Milecastle 37 and the famous Sycamore Gap, taking in the amazing sights along the way. See here.

Opening times: Housesteads Fort plans to reopen as soon as lockdown lifts, from 10am until 4pm. Hadrian's Wall is open at all times. The National Trust Visitor Centre is also set to reopen from December 3 from 10am until 4pm but only at weekends. See here.

Admission: Prices range from £9.90 (with donation) for adults; £6 for over fives and £25.80 for a Family but a mix of options are available. Book here.

For information about more reopened attractions at Hadrian's Wall and English Heritage information see here.

Cherryburn

Address: Station Bank, Mickley, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7DD, 01661 843276

Cherryburn cottage and farmhouse is the birthplace of Thomas Bewick, who was perhaps Northumberland’s greatest artist: a wood engraver and naturalist who revolutionised print art in Georgian England. It is currently not open for visits and there is no news yet when it will be.

In a statement on its webiste, the National Trust said: "We're working hard to reopen many of our places where it is safe to do so. However, Cherryburn is closed."

For those who don't know, Bewick's tiny birthplace cottage and farmyard have glorious views over the Tyne Valley and there's a traditional 19th-century farmhouse: the later home of the Bewick family.

Seaton Delaval Hall

Address: The Avenue, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, NE26 4QR, 0191 237 9100

This Vanbrugh gem - which has been ungoing a massive restoration - is not currently open to the public so visitors will have to wait a little longer to see the results of all that work - but its grounds are open.

Seaton Delaval Hall was built between 1719 and 1730 for Admiral George Delaval, and is is set in its own estate with lovely gardens - which are having a revamp too.

It is one of the finest houses in the North East, and is among the finest works of its architect, Sir John Vanbrugh, who was one of the masters of English Baroque.

Opening times: From Thursday to Sunday, its garden is open from 10am until 3pm and its catering kiosk opens from 10am until 2.30pm. Its central hall, west wing and stables are closed.

Admission: Adult £8; Child £4; Family £20; Family one adult £12: see here.

George Stephenson’s Birthplace

Address: Near Wylam, Northumberland, NE41 8BP, 01207 541820

George Stephenson’s birthplace is a little stone cottage, nestled in a pretty garden near the river Tyne on the outskirts of Wylam. The great railway pioneer’s entire family lived in just one room and it has a fascinating story to tell about life for mining families. Only it won't be telling it for some time as the birthplace, cafe and gardens are closed while the Trust makes plans for the future.

Farne Islands

Address: Near Seahouses, Northumberland, 01665 721099

The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 44,000 pairs of puffin. It’s also home to a large grey seal colony, with more than 1,000 pups born every autumn.

The islands still remain closed to the public but here's what visitors can expect when they reopen.

What to expect on a National Trust visit

First and foremost a warm welcome as the locations are keen to have visitors back.

But, in keeping with Government guidelines and what has become our 'new normal' during the coronavirus outbreak, there will be lots of changes in place to protect both guests and staff.

To keep an eye on numbers, which will be more limited, the Trust has introduced bookable arrival time slots. Entry will be by advance booking only and it is expecting demand to be high.

Natonal Trust members will be entitled to free tickets (as will carers with a companion card) but will still have to book and take their membership card along with them.

Tickets will be snapped up quickly but there will be a new release every Friday for the following week, so those planning a visit are advised to keep checking regularly.

Visitors are asked to book one ticket per person (note children under five don’t need a ticket) and they can choose a 30-minute arrival time for the day you want to visit. They are asked to keep the first and last slots of each day free for key workers.

A booking confirmation will be sent by email and visitors are asked to arrive within their time slot.

Where necessary, one-way routes or different car park layout may be in place and there will signs with directions. While grounds and gardens are open, added extras such as tea rooms and shops - plus some toilets - won't be: for now.

Guests should check with their chosen location about its policy on dogs and play areas, some of which offer 'natural play trails' which can allow social distancing while formal playgrounds will be closed.

More visitor information is here and keep an eye out here for updates when the Trust starts to open up more locations .

Other National Trust days out

The National Trust has other grounds to explore at Gibside in Gateshead - see here - and it also manages the following coastal and countryside areas which are open to visitors and which, of course, you don't need to book.

These include Embleton Bay - where there's a cracking walk to Dunstanburgh Castle - and Newton Links at Low Newton by the Sea near Alnwick - see here - plus Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, near Hexham, here.