Outward bound
From March 29, a number of outdoor attractions in England will re-open. SARAH MARSHALL picks out some favourites
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
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.
Spanning seven centuries of construction, the property was created and is still owned by the Middleton family (under the care of English Heritage). Although doors are locked for now, there’s plenty to admire and keen gardeners will also appreciate one of the biggest collections of rhododendrons in the country.
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.
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Brush up on British history at this famous battleground, where King Harold and William the Conqueror fought in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings.
The Harold Stone marks the spot where Harold fell – a turning point in history – while wooden sculptures of soldiers paint a vivid picture of what happened. Explore the ruins of the Benedictine Battle Abbey, now registered as a Grade 1-listed building.
Check gov.uk/coronavirus before making any travel plans.