Today we headed off on an adventure to Packwood House National Trust. We have been members since last August, but had never visited this house so were very excited to have managed to get tickets to go.
Tickets for National Trust locations are now (during Covid-19) released on their website at Midnight on Thursdays /early Friday mornings. As the houses are closed (at todays date of writing – 22nd June 2020), timed tickets are released for people to come and enjoy the grounds. Members get the slots within their membership prices, you just have to enter your membership code into your purchase. None members have to pay a small entrance fee.
Packwood House is known as “A house to dream of, a garden to dream in” and this was indeed true today. The gardens are beautiful and our girls were so excited to be out in the fresh air, enjoying nature. With the house closed, we could only stand outside and admire it, but we are positive that when the houses are able to open again, we will be back to explore what is hiding behind the most beautiful wooden doors.
National Trust have put out signs and barriers to ensure everyone stays safe. The first sign informs you of the 4 ways to stay safe and enjoy your visit :
1) Follow the signs, arrows and instructions carefully (they’ve implemented a one way system at Packwood with a choice of two different walks to do – you could even do them both, but follow the signs and arrows to make sure you’re walking the same direction as everyone else)
2) Slow your pace and enjoy the place. I like this one. They want you to enjoy every bit of your walk. The sights, the sounds, the smell of the beautiful flowers. Don’t rush around and ensure that you keep a safe distance from others.
3) Share your day with those who can’t be here, using hashtag #EveryoneNeedsNature. To manage the amount of people entering the gardens and to ensure social distancing, tickets are few and far between.
4) Support the Trust’s work. Donate £5 by texting TRUST to 70515. It is costing National Trust lots to keep the gardens open whilst not charging the full entrance amount, if you can donate, please do. Every little helps this charity.
We thought all the social distancing measures were great. Timed slots to arrive within (don’t come too early or too late or you won’t be allowed in). Barriers to ensure queues are safely formed where needed (eg toilets). And National Trust have added some humour into the hard times with funny signs around the grounds.
My two favourites. The tractor not being able to be played on as it’s over 70 and shielding and the sign saying they’ll forgive our lockdown haircuts if we forgive there’s!
The gardens have been maintained really well and the grounds were looking amazing.
After we left the grounds of Packwood, we headed to the Welly Walk in the grounds opposite. Great fun for children with stepping stones made from chopped logs, a musical instrument made from wood (which you can play with sticks) and a hoop game. There were muddy puddles, dens and a tree or two to climb.
We had such a lovely time and can’t wait to head back to another National Trust soon.
So if you have been worried about booking tickets and social distancing not being adhered to, there’s really no need to worry. National Trust have gone above and beyond to make this such a relaxing and worry free visit.
Any questions, please do ask.