The National Trust is encouraging the public to enjoy virtual views on its digital platforms over the coming weeks.

This is in the absence of them being able to physically visit any of the Trust’s locations due to the coronavirus crisis.

It comes as a 125-year anniversary event of the bequest of Dinas Oleu near Barmouth, the first piece of land donated to it on 29 March 1895, was cancelled due to the virus.

The Trust cancelled the event, which was due to take place this weekend, as part of its efforts to help the nation fight the spread of the virus. It has already closed its houses, shops, cafes, parks, gardens and car parks.

Blue skies, sandy shores and coastal scenery at Dinas Oleu can all be admired virtually on the Trust’s digital platforms, as the charity celebrates its beginnings and vows to provide rich content from its places to connect people with nature, beauty and history in the weeks ahead.

Justin Albert, NT director for Wales, explained: “Despite all the enormous challenges we face in society today tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, we want to remind and assure people that the National Trust will still be there for them.

“The Trust was founded 125 years ago for the benefit of the nation and we want to honour our mission by doing everything that we can to bring nature, beauty and history to your homes in the coming weeks, starting with Dinas Oleu and where it all began.”

Dinas Oleu, which is five acres of hillside above the seaside town of Barmouth with views of the Llyn Peninsula, was gifted to the National Trust in 1895 by Fanny Talbot.

Mrs Talbot was a philanthropist, landowner and friend of two of the charity’s founders, Octavia Hill and Hardwicke Rawnsley. She saw the importance of heritage and open spaces and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy.

Today the Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 780 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mr Albert added: “Over the coming weeks our digital platforms - social media feeds, website, podcasts and video - will become even more important, ensuring the places of nature, beauty and history that we care for on behalf of the nation can remain open for business virtually while we are temporarily closed.

"This should help people connect with nature wherever they are and to find moments of joy in the world around them. We will be providing rich content and staying in touch with our members and followers throughout this time.”