RHS Harlow Carr sees spike in online bookings

RHS Harlow Carr has seen a spike in demand for places at its gardens ahead of reopening on Monday.

The RHS saw delays on its online booking system yesterday as a high volume of people flocked to the website to book spaces to its gardens.

The gardens will be open from 10am until 4pm, but people must pre-book a space in order to limit the amount of people attending.

Due to high levels of interest you may experience delays in the online booking process; please bear with us. Please note you will not be allowed entry without confirmation of your booking. pic.twitter.com/VI5xUvpEHG

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) May 29, 2020

Safety measures will also be in place including floor markings for social distancing, screens at the checkouts, hand sanitiser for visitors and staff and a no cash policy.

A statement on the RHS Gardens website said:

“Our foremost priority remains the health and safety of our members, visitors and staff and we will do everything possible to ensure all government social distancing measures are followed.

“All visitors will be required to pre-book a timed entry slot in advance of their visit and visitor numbers entering the gardens will be limited.”

Meanwhile, National Trust attractions in the Harrogate district will remain closed this weekend.

It means that Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Ripon, will not be open for people to travel to as the trust plans a gradual reopening of its attractions in the coming weeks.

Brimham Rocks will remain closed to the public until further notice.

The National Trust is set to reopen some of its smaller gardens and parklands from June 3 and advanced bookings will be required to maintain public safety.

Newby Hall and Gardens, Ripon, will remain closed to visitors. A statement on its website said it was working hard to reopen “as soon as possible”.

Further afield, Bolton Abbey Estate reported that it sold out tickets for the estate yesterday and urged people not to visit.

National Trust venues in district remain closed

National Trust venues in the Harrogate district will remain closed to the public this weekend.

It means that Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Ripon, will not be open for people to travel to as the trust plans a gradual reopening of its attractions in the coming weeks.

People are able to travel anywhere in the country to find a park or beach as the lockdown has been eased, but the trust said its decisions to open its venues will be guided by local judgement.

As part of the easing of lockdown restrictions, the trust plans to reopen some of its larger car parks for its attractions from May 21 to those who have pre-booked places.

People will be able to book parking spaces for venues on the National Trust website from Monday (May 18). Members will be able to book for free, but non-members will have to pay.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Water confirmed that car parks at reservoirs across the district will still be closed this weekend.

Earler this week, the company warned that people should not travel to its reservoirs, such as Fewston and Scar House, until it has a plan to adapt to government guidance.

It comes as the head of Yorkshire Dales National Park hit out at the government after it gave the green light for people to travel to beauty spots.