Visiting and booking frequently asked questions

Search for a property and you'll see the opening times on its homepage.

Many of our houses are fully open, but some may have rooms that can't open just yet for staffing, conservation or other reasons.

Seats for visitors' use are provided at various points in all the Trust's historic houses and gardens. Visitors who wish to sit down should feel free to use the seats available or ask a room steward or member of staff if seating is not immediately obvious.

At some properties, visitors will be asked to leave behind large items of hand luggage while they make their visit. This is to avoid accidental damage and to improve security.

This restriction includes rucksacks, large handbags, carrier bags, bulky shoulder bags and camera/camcorder bags. These can be left safely at the entrance to any house where the restriction applies (principally historic houses with vulnerable contents, fragile decorative surfaces or narrow visitor routes).

Any heel which covers an area smaller than a 20p coin can cause irreparable damage to floors, carpets and rush matting. We’re sorry but sharp-heeled shoes are not permitted. Plastic slippers are provided for visitors with unsuitable or muddy footwear, or alternative footwear is available to purchase.

Please remember that ridged soles trap grit and gravel, which scratch fine floors. Boot-scrapers and brushes are readily available. Overshoes may be provided at properties with vulnerable floors.

The use of mobile phones can interfere with the correct operation of sensitive electronic environmental monitoring equipment, and so visitors are asked to switch them off when entering houses and other buildings where such equipment is likely to be fitted.

Please also be considerate when using mobile phones in gardens and other enclosed open spaces, where ringing or loud phone conversations may cause disturbance to the quiet enjoyment of others.

Smoking is not permitted inside Trust houses, restaurants or shops. Smokers are also asked to exercise restraint in gardens, since the scent of flowers is such an important part of visitors' enjoyment.

We welcome walkers to the thousands of acres of countryside and coastline in our care. To learn more, please visit our walking pages

Wearing a face covering is a personal choice for visitors, staff and volunteers.

All visitors to National Trust properties are allowed to take photographs out of doors for their own private use. Any individuals wishing to sell or publish photographs should contact images@nationaltrust.org.uk

Permission should be sought at the time if you wish to intentionally film or photograph National Trust staff members or volunteers.

Amateur photography (including filming) without flash is now permitted in historic interiors at the property manager’s discretion. As with outdoor photography, any photographs taken are strictly for private use, and enquiries about selling or publishing photographs should be directed to images@nationaltrust.org.uk

However, visitors must be aware that at some places there may be copyright issues, and further permissions may be required in respect of collections not owned by us. In these situations, the property manager's decision as to whether photography is allowed is final.

To prevent deterioration of light-sensitive contents, especially textiles and watercolours. Light levels are regularly monitored and carefully controlled using blinds and sun-curtains. We recommend that visitors allow time for their eyes to adapt to darker conditions in rooms where light levels are reduced to preserve vulnerable material.

Some historic houses offer special tours during the winter months, when house staff demonstrate traditional housekeeping practices. They explain why National Trust conservation policies require low light levels during the winter. These 'putting the house to bed' events are sometimes advertised in the local press, or details can be found in the property's events section.

We do not allow drone flying from or over National Trust land except by contractors commissioned by the Trust for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances, and are operating under controlled conditions.

For more information, please see our full drone policy

We have varied menus including hot and cold drinks, cakes and bakes, scones, sandwiches, soups, salads, main meals, pasties and sausage rolls.

Our menus vary depending on the size of our cafés so if you have a specific dietary requirement, please check ahead before visiting.

Our cafés serve millions of visitors every year. We work hard to accommodate dietary needs, allergies and preference.

We have many options made without dairy and gluten, and we also have a range of plant based options – we believe it’s important to offer you a choice.

However, we cannot guarantee that our products made on site are allergen free due to the nature of our kitchens and the use of, for example, gluten containing ingredients.

If you wish to check current ingredient information, please speak to a member of staff, who’ll be happy to help.

Yes, you can bring your own food and drink. All we ask is that you place your litter in the bin. Thank you.

Many of the places we care for welcome picnics – some have designated picnic areas, others cannot accommodate them.

Look out for the 'suitable for picnics' icon on individual property pages when planning your visit.

Fires and barbecues are generally not allowed. If you’re planning a picnic for the first time at one of the places we care for, please call the place in advance to check.

We offer free drinking water at all of the places in our care.

As we work towards phasing out single-use cups by the end of 2026, we’re encouraging you to bring your own reusable cups if you're wanting a takeaway hot drink.

When using a reusable cup, you'll receive 25p off your first hot drink. You'll also be helping us reduce waste.

We also sell Circular & Co reusable cups in our cafés and shops. If you buy a reusable cup from our cafés, shops or online you'll receive your first hot drink for free.

There's a 15p charge for the use of single-use cups. We’d encourage to your own reusable cups with you and benefit from the 25p discount as well as helping us to be more sustainable.

No, all reusable cups are accepted, provided they are clean and in good condition.

We keep our website up to date so please do use it to keep informed. If your query isn’t answered by the website, please call us on 0344 800 1895 or email enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk and we'll do our best to help you.