Outward bound
From March 29, a number of outdoor attractions in England will re-open. SARAH MARSHALL picks out some favourites
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Now riddled with more holes than a slab of Swiss cheese, this Gothic masterpiece has been an inspiration for numerous writers and poets. Bram Stoker gleaned ideas for his Dracula stories after visiting, and Caedmon, the first named English poet, also found inspiration after touring the remains of the building. Founded in 657 as an AngloSaxon monastery, it was destroyed by the Vikings and rebuilt in the 13th century. Visitors must pre-book slots online. Various admission prices apply. Visit english-heritage.org.uk
IT’S finally happening. After months of anticipation, desperation and longing, our list of daily activities can finally extend beyond a walk in the park or the supermarket shop.
As the Government edges towards another milestone on the roadmap to recovery, a selection of outdoor attractions is due to open from March 29. English Heritage will be allowing the public to visit more than 50 of their historic sites across the country, all closed since December.
For now, the focus is on outdoor spaces, but with groups of six also permitted to meet outdoors from the end of the month and the long Easter break approaching, here are a few potential entries to fill empty diary pages.
Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
The legend of King Arthur captivated Victorian audiences, and his supposed home was this cliff-top castle, in existence since the 5th century. Whether you believe the story, the castle is equally epic. Partially set on a rugged headland, the windswept ruins consist of various cubby holes and secret corners. The addition of a new footbridge connects this area to the mainland, while a path also leads to the beach and several dramatic coves.
Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens, Northumberland
Down House
Down House, Kent
When he wasn’t sailing across oceans and studying finches in far-flung locations, biologist Charles Darwin lived with his family in this country home. The gardens doubled as an outdoor laboratory, allowing the revolutionary theorist to refine many of his ideas. The weed garden, for example, played an important role in informing his theory of natural selection. Visitors can follow his Sand Walk, surrounded by native trees, or explore greenhouses filled with carnivorous plants and orchids – fertile grounds for his work on plant growth and pollination.
Delve into a jungle of oversized plants and exotic flowers in a green space that could easily have played host to dinosaurs, the Quarry Garden is one of several glorious outdoor spaces surrounding this 19th century Grecian manor house and medieval castle. Brush up on British history at Spanning seven centuries of conthis famous battleground, where King struction, the property was created Harold and William the Conqueror and is still owned by the Middleton fought in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings. family (under the care of English HerThe Harold Stone marks the spot itage). where Harold fell – a turning point in Although doors are locked for now, history – while wooden sculptures of there’s plenty to admire and keen garsoldiers paint a vivid picture of what deners will also appreciate one of the happened. Explore the ruins of the biggest collections of rhododendrons Benedictine Battle Abbey, now regisin the country. tered as a Grade 1-listed building.
■ Check gov.uk/coronavirus before making any travel plans.
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex