A spokesman from the home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne, Wiltshire's Bowood house and gardens has said: "We have made the necessary decision not to open our woodland gardens on April 1 as intended."

"Bowood will continue to actively monitor government advice to ensure that the Estate plays its part in the national response to COVID-19. The Woodland Gardens will remain closed, as will Bowood House and Gardens.

"This position will be regularly reviewed. We will be posting further updates via our social media platforms and dedicated website link: www.bowood.org/coronavirus

"In the meantime, public footpaths throughout the Estate remain open and we encourage responsible users, to comply with the very clear government advice, to enjoy exercising in the great outdoors while practising social distancing."

Marcus Lee, Bowood’s Estate Manager, said: "We very much look forward to re-opening the house, gardens and woodland gardens to visitors when it becomes responsible to do so. In the meantime, we thank the public again for their understanding during this unprecedented time."