THE National Trust is to reopen gardens at Hinton Ampner near Alresford and Mottisfont near Romsey next week, June 3.

But only those who have booked in advance will be admitted.

Other gardens to open in the region include: The Vyne in north Hampshire, and in Dorset, Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy.

In a statement on its website, the trust said: "From June 3 we'll begin a phased reopening of some of our gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland, with advance bookings needed to limit visitor numbers and maintain public safety.

"Over the coming weeks more places will begin reopening. Visitors will be able to book their tickets in advance on property web pages from today (May 29). They'll be free for National Trust members, and other visitors will pay an admission fee."

But all National Trust houses, shops, holiday cottages and campsites remain closed in line with government guidelines.

"We'll begin to reopen gardens and open spaces in England and Northern Ireland where social distancing can be observed, and will open to around a third of their normal capacity at any one time. Visitors arriving at reopening properties by car will be asked to show pre-booked tickets through their vehicle window before parking. Those arriving on foot will have bookings checked by a small team of staff who will adhere to social distancing."

Director-General, Hilary McGrady said: "We want to provide safe, local, welcoming spaces for people, and wherever possible we will open our gardens and parks, and coast and countryside car parks.

"The fresh air, birdsong, big skies and open spaces people have missed will be there, but things will be very different, particularly at first. We want to thank people for their patience and support while we gradually begin reopening and welcoming our visitors."

The booking system will be available on individual property web pages.

"We're also urging visitors to limit how many visits they book, to stay local if they can and to avoid busy hot-spots. Signs at properties and information ahead of visits will advise visitors how to stay safe during their visit and routes will be marked out.

The latest information and updates on which places and facilities are opened can be found on individual property web pages, and all visitors are urged to check online before planning a visit. The ticket booking system is also available on our website from today (May 29).