A POPULAR country estate near Romsey is set to reopen its doors to the public next week.

The National Trust-owned house at Mottisfont will welcome visitors again on Monday (October 12) after being shut for more than six months, due to coronavirus.

This comes after the National Trust reopened seven properties across England and Northern Ireland in July as part of a phased reopening of its 200 houses.

Now, customers will be able to stroll through the property's ground floor rooms once again from Monday to Friday.

General manager for Mottisfont, Vicky Fletcher, said: “We're so excited to welcome visitors back into the house once more.

"The experience will be a little different, with a new one-way route, but people entering the house will still have the opportunity to take in the spectacular Whistler Room and a selection of other stylish rooms re-modelled under Maud Russell's influence.

"Although the gallery remains closed for now, our permanent collection of 20th-century art will be on display."

The National Trust’s director of culture and engagement, John Orna-Ornstein, said: "We have received some fantastic feedback since we started to reopen our places in July and are incredibly grateful for the patience and understanding that visitors and members have demonstrated as we start to welcome people back to our houses.

"This latest reopening is part of a process to open all of our properties safely and we will announce more in the coming weeks and months."

He added: "Being able to share these beautiful places and their histories is what the National Trust is here for and we are truly excited to be able to open these houses and welcome people back.”

To keep visitors safe, there will be one-way systems and a limited number of people in the building at one time to help social distancing.

Hand sanitiser stations will be available and people are expected to wear face coverings in the indoor areas.

The house, originally founded as an Augustinian priory in 1201, will be open from 11am to 4pm with last admission happening at 3.30pm.

However, the garden and car park are open from 10am to 5pm, while from November 2 the facilities will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors are encouraged to book their tickets in advance through the National Trust's online booking system.

To book, follow https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/whats-on.