'Staycation' boost for region's historic houses
SOME of the region's finest country houses and historic buildings have received a boost after reporting record visitor figures as a result of the staycation summer.
SOME of the region's finest country houses and historic buildings have received a boost after reporting record visitor figures as a result of the staycation summer.
A combination of good weather and families holidaying at home has been attributed to National Trust properties across East Anglia benefiting from a more than 20pc increase in guests.
Officials from the charity spoke of their delight after nearly 950,000 people flocked to the region's 18 'pay-for-entry' properties between March and September.
Oxburgh Hall, near Swaffham, was celebrating a 29pc increase and Ickworth House, near Bury St Edmunds, received a 21pc rise in the number of visits.
Justin Scully, assistant director of operations for the Trust in the East, said the region was blessed with a variety of stately homes and swathes of countryside.
“With all this on the doorstep, it's not surprising that our visitors are rediscovering the pleasures of a great day out in the east of England. We know how much pressure people's budgets have been under this year and believe that we have been able to offer great value, relaxing days out. Where else can you get 365 days out for the price of less than a tank of petrol for an average people carrier?,” he said.
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Teresa Squires, property manager for Oxburgh Hall, said she was “really pleased” with the more than 62,000 visitors during the tourist season, which was down to the staycation, longer opening hours, and the impact of being featured on the BBC's Antique Roadshow programme.
