VISITORS will be able to return to Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacey from Wednesday – but only if they have booked a ticket in advance.

The National Trust sites are subject to a phased reopening, with advance booking needed to limit numbers and maintain public safety.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 0344 249 1895, with them free for National Trust members while other visitors will be charged an admission fee of £10 for adults and £5 for children.

National Trust 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."

At the Purbeck site, the castle and toilets will be open from Wednesday, along with the National Trust car park at Castle View. Meanwhile in Wimborne, only the park and gardens of Kingston Lacey will be open.

Anyone who has not booked will be turned away.