I was very disappointed to find Queen Adelaide's Hill in Windermere closed to the public, with all the access gates padlocked shut.

Perhaps the National Trust would care to explain how closing this little haven of countryside, which is in easy walking distance of my home (and that of about 5,000 other people), benefits the the fight against COVID-19.

It has definitely not been the site of large gatherings of people or major breaches of social distancing. I used to be a member of the National Trust.

I don't think I will be again.

Neil Collier

Address supplied

(We asked the National Trust for their response.)

The land in question was initially closed by the agricultural tenant after reports of camping and some breaches of social distancing in the early days of the increased guidance on staying at home.

The routes were closed without consultation with the National Trust and we do not agree that at this stage, in line with current DEFRA guidance, there is any need for these to remain closed.

From our regular security patrols, sites within the Lake District National Park are now very quiet with only a few locals accessing to take their daily exercise and we would like to say thank you to everyone for acting within the spirit of the guidance.

We do not feel that this location would be any different.

We are currently working with the tenant on this land to come to an acceptable compromise that maintains access while taking in to account that it is currently lambing, along with the concerns by many farmers about the transmission of COVID-19 from gates and stiles.

Laura Ruxton

General Manager

National Trust