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Marble sculpture of two people surrounded by Christmas decoration in the Central Hall at Wallington, Northumberland
Inside the Central Hall at Wallington, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

History

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

Art and collections

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.

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.

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.

Two caricatures side by side from the collection in the Caricature Room at Calke Abbey, both depicting people braving a blizzard. In the first picture is a women with an umbrella, while the second picture is a man holding onto his hat, while blizzards blow around both of them.
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Advent calendar of Christmas treasures 

Get into the Christmas spirit with our Advent calendar of 24 festive objects from the collections in our care. Find out what today's object is and delve into the origins of the Advent calendar.

People

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.

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 

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.

View over the pond to the west front of the house at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex
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Who was Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown? 

Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was one of the UK's most celebrated landscape gardeners. Find out how this Georgian gentleman created the quintessential English landscapes that we see at many of the places in our care today.

Architecture

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

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

A group of visitors standing outside the East Front at Tyntesfield, Somerset
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What is Gothic Revival? 

Discover how it became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries to style literature, architecture, art, music and more after the features of the late medieval Gothic period.

Gardens and landscapes

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.

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.

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.

Staff and volunteer showing plates to visitors at Knole, Kent

Start your journey of discovery

Delve into history, get tips from our experts, learn a new skill and go behind the scenes of your favourite places.