Self-catering holiday lets are eager to welcome guests back in the coming months, after Monday’s lockdown easing means it will be possible to travel for a staycation from April 12.

Holiday cottages and self catering accommodation, including Center Parcs at Longleat, can accept guests then but hotels, hostels, B&Bs and campsites with shared facilities will not reopen until at least May 17, along with the indoor reopening of pubs and restaurants.

Dick Barrow runs Widbrook Barns in Bradford on Avon and has spent most of the last year shut to holidaying guests. All his rooms are reached directly from a courtyard garden which, he hopes, will make things slightly easier once restrictions ease.

“The only communal area would be our dining room,” he said. “So we won’t be able to offer our traditional breakfast service. In the initial stages in April and May we’ll operate a normal service but with a breakfast hamper delivered to the rooms.” After May 18, he hopes they will be able to re-open fully.

But there’s one unofficial staff member at Widbrook Barns who is incredibly eager for guests to arrive.

Dick added: “My dog Flo loves people, she usually would be very nosy when guests arrived and liked to be a part of their stay. She’s definitely suffered the lockdown blues and missed the guests. She’s probably even more excited to get people back than I am!”

However Dick added that things will very much be a new normal rather than the same old.

He said: “When we say things will hopefully be normal by summer, we will still be adhering to the protocols we’re used to now.

“It won’t be like 2019 again. We’ve all adapted to the pandemic and some elements will surely be in place for a while, like masks or sanitising hands more often.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people back.

“Bookings have started picking up the last few days which has been good. There’s so much to offer in Wiltshire."

Meanwhile Center Parcs Longleat, where many local people work during its year-round holiday season, says that from April 12: “Guests will be able to visit with their own household in our fully self-contained lodges, but will not be able to book accommodation in either our hotel or apartments. We will be operating a restaurant delivery service and the majority of outdoor activities will be available.

“We are currently reviewing the guidance to understand exactly what restrictions will be in place and will provide an update on this as soon as possible.

“Guests with existing bookings who no longer wish to visit will be given the option to move their dates with no amendment fee or cancel their break and receive a full refund, in line with our Book With Confidence guarantee, as will guests with breaks booked up to April 11.”