Chatsworth, one of Britain's best-known country houses and seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, the Cavendish family, since 1549, launches a scheme of free admission through libraries

The mechanics of the project are as follows: a library reader in Derbyshire borrows a "community card" just as he would borrow a book, for a week, free of charge. The card gives entry to the house, the garden, the farm and the playground for a group of up to eight people: two adults and six children.

The pilot runs until 4 October 2026 and is timed to coincide with the National Year of Reading. Ten libraries in the county have been allotted two cards each, and they must be collected in person, since the ordinary reservation system does not apply. Since the launch last month the cards have been borrowed 110 times, and they have instantly become the most sought-after item in these libraries.

One of the most popular museum sites, instead of arranging a free open day with its crush and queues, has built free access into the ordinary circulation of the library. Incidentally, it has also raised interest in the local libraries.

I believe that this model could find a fine development here at home too, provided that the possibility of profiteering is eliminated and transparency ensured.