Attractions begin to reopen across the West Country as restrictions lift

Tourist attractions across the region are partially opening as lockdown restrictions ease.

Sites including the Lost Gardens of Heligan, The Eden Project and Cotswold Water Park all plan to open their doors again.

It follows months without visitors as the Worldwide Covid-19 pandemic continues.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan will reopen next week after a two-month closure.

Nature has been taking over at the gardens near St Austell after its team of gardeners had to put their work on hold because of coronavirus.

It is only the second time in the estate's history they have been forced to down tools.

Normally around three thousand visit daily in the summer.

Staff left during lockdown, and much of it has been unattended to ever since.

Volunteers have been growing vegetables for local people.

Visitors will have to book in advance and only one third of the usual numbers will be allowed entry.

Elsewhere, the Eden Project's outdoor gardens have reopened today.

New social distancing measures have been put in place and visitor numbers will be limited to a maximum of 1,250 per day.

The Project's famous biomes will stay closed to visitors and staff hope they can be reopened in July.

In Gloucestershire, The Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester reopened today.

Managers there have put in a one way system to allow for social distancing.

They have also decreased their capacity from around 3,000 to 1,000.