Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey to stay open during lockdown

Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey will stay open during lockdown, the National Trust has confirmed.

The charity said it wanted people to enjoy outdoor spaces, but all of the trust’s indoor sites will close from tomorrow.

That means the visitor centre restaurant at Fountain’s Abbey will remain open for takeaway only.

But the abbey, Studley Royal water garden and the play area will remain open.

At Brimham Rocks, the kiosk will remain open to serve takeaway hot and cold drinks and snacks.

The car parks at both venues will stay open.

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National Trust director-general Hilary McGrady said the well-being of visitors, staff and volunteers was its priority.

Ms McGrady said:

“We follow government advice and guidance at all times, in each of the nations we serve.

“We know how important access to green space, nature and fresh air are to people, and we’ll do everything we can to provide them during the next phase. Our priorities will remain the safety and well-being of visitors, staff and volunteers.”

Brimham Rocks visitors urged not to light BBQs

Visitors to Brimham Rocks are being urged not to light BBQs over the weekend as they pose a fire risk to its rare moorlands.

The National Trust, who owns Brimham Rocks, issued the warning as temperatures are expected to hit 25 degrees on Saturday.

In May 2018, firefighters were called to the 400-acre site after a disposable BBQ started a fire which damaged around 8,700 square metres of moorland.

Brimham Rocks is home to three rare species of heather including ling, bell and cross-leaved heath. These plants have helped give Brimham its site of special scientific interest (SSSI) status.

Brimham Rocks park ranger Catherine Barber told the Stray Ferret that even though it has been wet this week, ling heather is still particularly flammable so if there’s a fire and the wind changes they could “lose the whole lot”.

She added that during the height of lockdown in March and April she found discarded BBQs nearly every day at the site.

Firefighters tackle the 2018 fire at Brimham Rocks.

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Ben McCarthy, head of nature conservation for the National Trust added:

“Many areas of land are still very dry and all it takes is a single spark from a barbecue or a dropped cigarette to cause a serious fire.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also released a statement to the Stray Ferret warning the public about the dangers of lighting BBQs on dry grass.

They said:

“With the warm weather returning at the weekend North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to take care if they’re visiting the countryside or local parks and open spaces.

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Meanwhile in Harrogate, images have been posted across social media this week of discarded litter as people enjoyed the recent spell of warm weather.

BBQs are prohibited on the Stray and culprits could be subject to a fixed penalty notice from the council.

Booking essential as Fountains Abbey re-opens tomorrow

Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal water garden will re-open tomorrow to the public. However, only one car park will be available.

This week the National Trust began its phased re-opening of all of its sites to ensure maximum safety for their visitors.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is the next to re-open. It will limit the number of visitors and insists on pre-booking before arriving.

Visitors will have the opportunity the pre-book online and will be given a 30 minute time slot to arrive within. Visitors who arrive without pre-booking will be turned away.

The cafe is closed but the toilets will remain open to the public.

Justin Scully, General Manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal said:

“We have introduced a booking system so we’re able to control numbers to maintain public safety. Whilst the Studley car park remains closed the main visitor centre car park will be open and visitors will need to book in advance. Given the unprecedented circumstances, and in order to keep everyone safe, your visit to the National Trust will feel different from normal.”

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is re-opening tomorrow with pre-booking essential for any visitors.

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Alexa Vernon is the Visitor Experience & Marketing Manager for the site, she said:

“The atmospheric abbey ruins, fanciful follies and elegant canals and ponds are all still the same though we have had to make some changes to keep everybody safe. All of our indoor spaces such as Fountains Hall and the Mill are closed as well as our playground. We’re asking everyone to park at the Visitor Centre though and to call ahead if they require level access.”

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.