Oil painting on panel, Winter Scene of Village Inn and Traveller, British (English) School, 18th century. An overmantel. — Oil painting on panel, Winter Scene of Village Inn and Traveller at Dunster Castle, Somerset | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

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.

Knight with the Arms of Jean de Daillon Tapestry, Montacute House

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Tapestry highlights from the collections

We look after the largest collection of tapestries in the UK and one of the largest in the world. Learn more about these status symbols and explore some of the best examples of this craftmanship at the places in our care.

A collection of photographs at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire. Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate.

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The history of portrait photography

Find out about the history and development of portrait photography through a selection of images from the collections in our care.

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12 golden objects to see up close

From goldwork and gilding to goldsmithing and jewellery making, discover the ways in which gold has been used in the objects in our collections.

Oil painting on canvas, View of Dordercht (from the Maas) by Aelbert Cuyp

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Spectacular skies: dawns and dusks in the collections we care for

Explore the artworks in our collections that capture the beauty of sunrise and sunset. See how artists have used seascapes and sunlight to bring to life peaceful scenes and industrial backdrops alike.

A close-up of the gilded pale blue and gold ceiling in the Drawing Room at Attingham Park, Shropshire

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History of paint at the places in our care

Discover how the use of paint in the historic interiors of four of the houses in our care reveals evolving fashions, new pigments and residents' wealth and status.

Painted image of Sir Joshua Reynolds sitting at a desk, from Saltram, Devon

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Highlights from the Sir Joshua Reynolds collection

Sir Joshua Reynolds was the leading portrait painter of the 18th century, admired for being able to capture an individual’s distinctive personality. We look after the largest collection of his works in a historic house setting, including 76 oil paintings.

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

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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.

Portrait of Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex painted by Daniel Mytens the elder, housed in wooden frame

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Our latest collection acquisitions

Discover some of the most recent acquisitions and the stories behind them, from paintings and objects kindly donated to the National Trust to those purchased with funds raised thanks to the generosity of visitors.

Historic photographs show the gardens of Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst Castle, Kent

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Loaning items to exhibitions

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

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

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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.

Blue and white china hanging on a dresser in the kitchen at Buckland Abbey

How to donate an object or collection

If you have an object or wider collection that you’d like to donate to us, please contact our Registrar Team by email at collections.donation@nationaltrust.org.uk or by post at Collections Registrars, National Trust, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA.

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

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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.

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

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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.