National Trust members angry as tickets sell out to top attractions

‘Charity tax laws mean our properties must be available to everyone, so we’re unable to offer prioritised booking’

THE National Trust yesterday sold out of tickets to its most popular gardens and parks within hours, as members complained they were not given priority on spaces.

Phased reopening will begin at around 29 venues from June 3, with only visitors who have booked in advance allowed entry in order to limit numbers and keep the public safe.

Spaces for the following week will now be released every Friday, and the trust has asked people to be considerate, and only book one slot a week.

Some complained that they paid for a membership, but cannot visit properties because places sold out so quickly.

Laura Smeaton, a member, said: “As a key worker and National Trust member, can you not keep a number of tickets aside?” Another, Sophie Chuter, added: “Surely members who’ve already paid should have priority?”

Almost every property in the South East sold out yesterday morning, with the majority of attractions around the country selling all their spaces, too.

A spokesman said: “Over 90 per cent of those booking are members. Charity tax law means our properties must be available to everyone, not just members, so we’re unable to offer prioritised booking. Tickets will be released weekly on Fridays. We are asking everyone to be considerate and only book one visit a week for the time being.”

More sites will open over the coming weeks for properties where social distancing can be observed, and with only around a third of the normal number of visitors permitted.

All National Trust houses and shops remain closed, along with holiday cottages and campsites, and while coastal and countryside car parks are mostly open, some busier ones may need to be closed or pre-booked, the charity said.

The Royal Horticultural Society is also opening its gardens from June 1 as part of the easing of lockdown, with strictly limited numbers of pre-booked tickets available each day for members and visitors at the four properties.

Safety measures will be brought in, including limiting numbers allowed in the garden centres at any one time, floor markings to help customers queue safely, separate entry and exit points where possible, hand sanitiser points, and card transactions only. Sue Biggs, RHS director-general, said: “We are delighted that the Government has said it is safe to reopen our RHS gardens because it is proven that spending time outside in green open spaces surrounded by plants has an immensely positive effect on our health.

“We look forward to welcoming our members and visitors safely back from June 1, and to bringing the joy of plants, flowers, trees and nature back into people’s lives, which for so many will be a much-needed tonic.”