Northumberland National Trust visitors on the up

Posted by The Journal on Nov 5, 09 11:28 AM in News

Visitors to National Trust properties across the North East this year are up more than 100,000 on 2008.

The visitor total from March 1-October 31 was 713,968.

Membership in the region has also seen a sharp increase with 24,609 new recruits - a 5,307 jump over last year.

Free-to-access trust sites, such as along the Durham and Northumberland coasts and Allen Banks in Northumberland , have also seen a huge surge in visitor popularity.

Kevin Redgrave, trust acting head warden on the Northumberland Coast, said: "This has been an exceptionally busy year for us. The car parks have been full to overflowing.

"Locals who have lived around here all their lives say they haven't seen it this busy since the 1960s."

All the National Trust's 11-pay-for-entry sites in the North East have recorded their best ever summers.

Wallington Hall in Northumberland anticipates breaking the 200,000 visitor mark for the first time by the end of the trust financial year in February 2010.

It is currently on target to attract around 203,000 people - 39,000 more than the next best year in 2007.

The October school half-term alone saw Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island attract more than 2,000 visitors - despite the unpredictable weather and inconvenient tides which meant people had less time to spend there.

The autumn half-term has traditionally marked the end of the National Trust tourist season, but with many properties this year electing to stay open in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, the visitor milestone is expected to again be shattered.

David Ronn, the National Trust's regional director Yorkshire and North East, said: "At the start of the year we weren't sure how the recession was going to affect us. We didn't know if it was a threat or an opportunity we could grasp with both hands.

"As it turns out, we have had a bumper season. What has happened is that Britons are exploring their own country again. We believe that is a long-term good for domestic tourism.

"People will never be weaned off overseas trips, but the National Trust believes it can successfully build on the dividends this year has reaped not just for us, but for the local economy.

"More visitors to National Trust properties means more money going into the local economy. It's a win-win situation for everyone, especially with the country going through such a dire recession."

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