A bust of Count Alberto Bevilacqua by Hendrik Andersen in the Green Room at Lamb House, East Sussex — Bust of Count Alberto Bevilacqua by Hendrik Andersen in the Green Room at Lamb House, East Sussex | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

History

Find out more about people from the past, discover remarkable art and collections and brush up on your knowledge of architecture and gardens.

Close-up detail of Medusa's head at the back of the statue of Fame and Pegasus (c1705) by Andries Carpentiere, at Powis Castle, Wales

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Mysterious objects in our collections

There are many intriguing objects with connections to magic, mystery or death at the places in our care. From a witch's cauldron to death masks and a boat made of bones, discover some of the most mysterious objects in our collections.

The superstitious mark in one of the ceiling timbers in the Great Parlour at Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire

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Warding off evil with witch marks

Learn about the mysterious markings our ancestors carved into doorways, fireplaces and joists to ward off evil and protect their homes from witches and demons.

A composite image showing two dummy boards beside a fireplace at Trerice, Cornwall

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Exploring the history of dummy boards

Dummy boards, also called silent companions, are life-size, flat, wooden figures. Find out why they were popular in the 17th century and where you can see them at the places we care for.

A detailed trompe l'oeil painting of statues of the four Doctors of the Church on the north wall of the Chapel at Wimpole Hall

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The art of illusion in historic houses

Learn about some of the misleading objects, paintings and architectural features in the historic houses we look after, and discover the truth behind these optical illusions.

Delve into one of the world's greatest collections of art and historical objects. From paintings to sculptures, there’s something for every art lover to discover.

More art and collections

Oil painting on canvas. A Still Life of Flowers and Fruit arranged on a Stone Plinth in a Garden by Cornelis de Heem (Leiden 1631 - Antwerp 1695) at Dyrham Park, near Bristol and Bath.

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Autumn scenes and stories in our collections

With its bright colours, natural spectacles and abundant harvests, autumn has inspired artists for generations. From paintings and tapestries to ceramics, discover autumn through the collections in our care.

Oil painting on panel, Queen Elizabeth I, British (English) School, 16th century.

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Queen Elizabeth and the ‘Mask of Youth’

‘The Mask of Youth’ gave Queen Elizabeth I ageless beauty in art. Read more about the history and where you can see examples in the collections in our care.

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

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Great tapestries in our collections

We look after the largest collection of tapestries in Britain and one of the largest in the world. Discover some examples of this outstanding craftmanship at the places in our care.

Read the stories of people from history and learn about their connections to the historic places in our care, from Beatrix Potter to the Beatles.

More historical people

Lion of Judah flag raised above the house at Dunham Massey with a grass circle in the foreground and white clouds in the background

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Black histories and the National Trust

This Black History Month, discover the places and collections we care for that have connections to Black histories. Learn more about the people behind these connections, including the lady of the house at Dyrham Park in South Gloucestershire and an exiled emperor at Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester.

Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, also known as Bess of Hardwick' by Rowland Lockey. Hanging in the Long Gallery at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

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Remarkable women in history

Learn about remarkable women in history linked to the places in our care, from the political player who helped make Charles II king to the archaeologist who helped discover a 7th-century Saxon ship burial.

Black and white image of Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley (1851-1920)

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Hardwicke Rawnsley: 'Defender of the Lakes'

As well as a founder of the National Trust, Hardwicke Rawnsley was a religious man, writer, social reformer and active campaigner for the protection of the Lake District.

Read up on architecture with in-depth articles about architectural styles, interior design through history and architectural structures.

More architecture

A round two-storey building set with a conical roof is set into a wall, made of the same greyish stone. There's a stairway within the wall to the left of the building and behind it is a pink flowering cherry tree. It's a bright, sunny spring day and the sky is blue.

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What is a Dovecote?

Dovecotes were built by wealthy and aristocratic families from the Norman period onwards and doves were kept for both food, feathers and as status symbols.

Gardener cleaning the roof from a cherrypicker at Knightshayes, Devon

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Top tips for maintaining your own ‘manor’

Find out from our team of building surveyors how you can keep your own ‘stately home’ maintained to a National Trust standard this year

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The history of architecture

Learn how both social and technological change have influenced architecture throughout history, and find out where to see examples of each period at the places we look after.

Discover the history of the natural landscapes around you. From glasshouses to sunken lanes, understand more about how these gardens and green spaces were formed.

More gardens and landscapes

Interior of a greenhouse with pelargoniums, succulents and other plants potted on a bench, and other larger houseplants on the floor

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A potted history of houseplants

Wander through our collections and gardens to learn the high-society origins of the ferns, orchids and pelargoniums in your home.

A stag standing in grassy parkland, with trees and the house at Knole in the background

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What is a deer park?

Status symbol, hunting ground and a source of building materials. Discover the important roles deer parks played in aristocratic and royal society.

A lake at dawn or dusk with a grand house reflected in it, surrounded by tall green reeds and trees

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How to spot a ‘Capability’ Brown landscape

Brown designed landscapes that fitted in seamlessly with the surrounding countryside. So how do you spot the designs of one of the greatest gardeners of all time?

The Palladian Bridge at Stowe, Buckinghamshire, spanning the Octagon Lake which is created to look like a river. The arches of the bridge are reflected in the water with a backdrop of green trees. It is one of only four Palladian Bridges in the world and the only one which allowed a carriage to be driven over.

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The development of the English garden landscape

The history of the English landscape garden is infused with political meaning. Learn the history and political stories behind this garden style characterised by structured informality.