Closure of properties to visitors—frustrating and annoying!

Dear Editor,

A couple of months ago my husband and I recently wanted to visit Shute Barton in Devon as we have passed the National Trust sign many times. Sadly, or angrily would be a better word, we discovered it is only open to the public on certain days of the year, six I think, and even though it was one of those days we were unable to visit as only pre-booked places are permitted and none were left. I have since noticed that Shute Barton is no longer in the handbook as a National Trust property to visit but it can be booked as a very expensive “holiday cottage”.

I should add that as we were passing nearby we did stop to have a look at the outside and a very lovely volunteer told us we could have come round on a previous tour as they had had some no-shows. Too late and very annoying.

Tintinhull House in Somerset has also become a holiday let and is only available for visits by the public on a similarly small number of days. I believe you do not have to book a visit then which is slightly better. It has also disappeared from the Handbook.

How many other properties left in trust to the NT have been turned into holiday lets and “wedding venues” available for a very select few of the public to visit? When these properties are local to where you live it is possible to plan a visit but when travelling around the country on holiday it’s very frustrating and annoying.

Kind Regards,

Barbara and Robert Fraser
Portesham