National Trust heritage open week opening provides rare access to Foxlease Girlguiding centre and other cultural gems

A WEEK of heritage open days by the National Trust will provide rare public access without admission fees to some of the areas most beautiful and historic sites.

One of these is Foxlease on Clay Hill, Lyndhurst, the international home for Girlguiding activities after more than a century.

Campaigners grouped under the name Foxie’s Future are battling to save the estate as a base for local groups since Girlguiding UK announced plans to sell it and four other centres at the end of the year, saying it could not afford a £20m investment they need.

The estate will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm on the weekend of 16th and 17th September under the heritage event, the UK’s biggest free celebration of heritage and culture running from 8th-17th September. There are more than 5,000 events nationwide.

More than a dozen special locations across the New Forest and Christchurch will be opened up, including Highcliffe Castle, Bisterne Manor and the 18th century Hinton Admiral mansion.

Some are only open for one day and most require advance booking. For full details go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk