THE National Trust is reopening Basildon Park near Pangbourne today (Monday, September 21).

The National Trust is gradually reopening properties in England and Northern Ireland as part of a phased reopening of its 200 houses, which were closed as part of the national lockdown in March.

Today the National Trust in the South East will see the state rooms on the first floor at Basildon Park open its doors daily, for the first time in five months - with several new safety measures in place.

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One-way systems and limited numbers inside the buildings will ensure that social distancing is possible, while enhanced cleaning and hand sanitising stations will be made available.

Basildon Park is open daily from 11am to 3pm with last admission at 2.45pm (the parkland is open dawn to dusk and the car park from 10am to 5pm).

Visitors will need to book their visit in advance through the online booking system.

Visits are limited to ensure social distancing and entry to the showrooms is not guaranteed on the day you visit unless you pre-book your ticket for the house.

In line with government guidance, you're required to wear a face covering in the indoors areas. Please bring one with you.

Regular visitors will also notice some changes to displays and the visitor route.

Visitors will experience the Carr entrance hall and staircase, the Library, Dining Room, Octagon Room, Green Drawing Room and 50s kitchen.

Entry and exit to the house is in and out of the loggia front door via 16 steps.

The latest round of properties to reopen have been specifically selected to operate within current government guidelines.

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Since the pilot scheme in July, hundreds of people have visited National Trust houses nationwide with more than 5 million visiting its parks and gardens, which were reopened from June 3 in England and Northern Ireland and from July 6 in Wales.

John Orna-Ornstein, the National Trust’s Director of Culture and Engagement said: “We have received some fantastic feedback since we started to reopen our places in July and are incredibly grateful for the patience and understanding that visitors and members have demonstrated as we start to welcome people back to our houses.

“This latest reopening is part of a process to open all of our properties safely and we will announce more in the coming weeks and months.

“Being able to share these beautiful places and their histories is what the National Trust is here for and we are truly excited to be able to open these houses and welcome people back.”

Rob Hayes, General Manager for Basildon Park, said: “We are delighted to welcome visitors back to Basildon Park.

"Recent weeks have seen visitors enjoying the garden, parkland and courtyard but now we’re pleased to open the doors to the showrooms to share the treasures of Basildon Park again.

"Although the visit will be different than normal with a one-way visitor route, we hope visitors can enjoy experiencing the sumptuous interiors and Old Master paintings once again.”