Hever Castle has been awarded the VisitEngland We’re Good to Go industry standard, confirming it is adhering to the Government’s COVID-19 re-opening guidance.
We’re Good to Go status has been awarded to Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever Castle Venue & Accommodation and Hever Castle Golf & Wellbeing.
Posters will be on display throughout the Estate, letting visitors know about the We’re Good to Go industry standard.
VisitEngland in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales launched the UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as the site across the sector reopen.
To be awarded the mark businesses have to demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and checked that they have the required processes in place.
Facilities open with additional measures in place include the Castle & Gardens, outdoor plays areas, Water Maze, golf courses (a mile down the road), the luxury 5* bed and breakfast, a holiday cottage, eateries including The Waterside Bar, Restaurant & Terrace at the Golf Club and venue hire.
Measures in place at Hever Castle include pre-booked systems to restrict visitor numbers, one way systems to enable social distancing, additional cleaning of facilities, the use of Perspex shields, limiting capacities in rooms and play areas and a cashless payment system (excluding archery).
Videos have also been produced for the Hever Castle website and social media channels, taking visitors through the new measures in place.
Full details of all the additional measures and a full list of what is open can be found here: https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/news/covid-19-coronavirus-reassurance/
Hever Castle’s CEO Duncan Leslie said: “We have been delighted to welcome back visitors to Hever Castle & Gardens. Staff have been working tirelessly to put extra systems in place to ensure visitors are able to enjoy a lovely day out in the stunning grounds, a fabulous round of golf or a luxury stay while feeling reassured that safety measures are rigorously adhered to. So to have our compliance with these regulations recognised with an industry standard is fantastic news.”
Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “This new industry standard will show people that tourism businesses, destinations and attractions are adhering to the guidance. It puts safety first and is an important move in getting this industry back up and running.”
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said: “We want visitors to be able to enjoy their holidays and to support businesses to be confident they have the correct procedures in place. Our priority is to make sure tourism rebounds to once again become one of the most successful sectors of the UK economy and this ‘ring of confidence’ is a crucial step on the industry’s road to rebuilding.”
Alongside the industry standard VisitEngland is also launching a Know Before You Go public information campaign to support tourism in England as businesses start to re-open, reassuring visitors as restrictions are lifted by checking about what it is safe to do and when and sign-posting to information about destinations and available services before travelling.
