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Interior of the Long Gallery at Hardwick, Derbyshire showing a selection of portrait paintings
Interior of the Long Gallery at Hardwick, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Art and collections

Explore one of the world’s largest art and heritage collections. With more than one million objects at over 200 historic places, there's many stories to discover.

Stories from the collections

Spring scenes in our collections 

Spring's promise of new beginnings has been an inspiration to artists and designers for centuries. Discover spring through some of its most evocative depictions in the collections and objects we care for.

NARCISSUS 'THE INCOMPARABLE DAFFODIL' by Georg Ehret, 1753. Botanical illustration situated in Gallery IV (the Botanical Gallery) at Dudmaston, Shropshire.

The story of Easter in our collections 

Take a closer look at some of the Easter objects in our collections. From a religious holy day to a time for family traditions, discover the origins of Easter and the symbolic egg.

A cardboard Easter egg in the collection at Lanhydrock, covered in paper depicting lots of rabbits at a wedding

Ceramics highlights in the National Trust's collection 

Discover highlights from our collection of around 75,000 ceramic objects, from an early Ming dynasty dish to an ancient Greek hydria.

A covered Japanese porcelain bowl in the collection at Sizergh Castle, painted in enamels with red and orange flowers among foliage, mounted in silver

Paintings in the collections

Where to see great masterpieces in our care 

Works from Velázquez and Rembrandt are among the treasure trove of paintings from Europe that hang at the places we look after. Find out where to see them.

A painting of a young man casually lying on the ground in a green woodland glade. He wears ornate blue and white Elizabethan-style trousers and bodice and he has a dark brown beard and moustache. Behind him, in another woodland glade, there are two horses and another figure.

The stories behind the works of Beatrix Potter 

Explore the stories behind the illustrations, sketches and letters of this legendary author, preserved at her former home in the Lake District.

A notepad with a watercolour painting by Beatrix Potter being held up to the camera

Highlights from 100 paintings in the collections we care for 

The 13,000 oil paintings in our care are nearly all displayed in the houses of their historic owners. Learn about the stories behind a selection of the artworks and their owners.

Still Life of Food, a Jug and Glasses on a Table by Pieter Claesz showing a silver jug and a cooked crab on the table

More about the collections

About the collections in our care 

See the breadth of our collection of works of art, furniture and more: we care for around a million objects at over 200 historic places, there’s a surprise discovery around every corner.

Paintings on display in the Upper Gallery at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire

Our latest collection acquisitions 

Discover some of our most recent acquisitions and the stories behind them, from paintings and objects kindly donated to us, to others purchased at nail-biting auctions.

Conservator April Johnson applies touch up paint to the fine oil painting 'Penelope and Euriclea' by Angelica Kauffman displayed inside the picture gallery, Stourhead, Wiltshire

Loaning items to exhibitions 

Explore just some of the paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics and furniture that we lend to museums and galleries around the world, so they can be enjoyed by millions of people.

Conservators working on collection items at The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole, Kent

Cultural Heritage Publishing 

We publish two illustrated research journals every year, containing expert insights into our places and collections, curatorial content, and the latest conservation news.

Iron and Coal on Tyneside in the 19th Century by William Bell Scott (1811–1890) at Wallington, Northumberland

How to donate an object 

Our collection continues to grow thanks to generous donors and supporters, helping us share new stories and perspectives on our historic places. Find out more about donating an object, including examples of what we're currently looking to collect.

The Huddleston Missal prayerbook, now on display at Moseley Old Hall, Staffordshire

Caring for your own collection

Expert tips for tackling insect pests that damage clothes, paper and furniture 

A National Trust conservator explains how to identify insect pests like clothes moths, carpet beetles and silverfish and prevent the damage they can do in your home.

Close view of part of carved armchair with beetle damage, from the Drawing Room at Ickworth, Suffolk

How to care for your precious objects 

National Trust conservationists know a thing or two about protecting valuable items. Get some top tips to protect your precious objects.

Conservator vacuuming a tapestry chair seat using monofilament screening to protect loose threads from the suction of the special museum upholstery tool in the Long Gallery at Osterley Park, Middlesex
An 18th century wooden clock made by John Harrison's in a glass cabinet at Nostell

Immerse yourself in history

Meet people from the centuries gone by, learn about the unique artworks in our care and understand more about historic traditions.