Where will you visit next?
Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Special exhibitions
The special exhibitions at the places in our care showcase contemporary artwork and share items from the collections we look after. Explore history, celebrate connections with people, and get closer to nature, beauty and history when you visit.
Exhibitions in London and the South East
Visions Unreel at Basildon Park, Berkshire
Basildon Park is one the National Trust's most popular filming locations. Explore Visions Unreel there, an exhibition of artefacts celebrating the many productions that have been shot at the house and in the grounds over more than 20 years. Its film and TV credits include Pride and Prejudice, Bridgerton, The Gentlemen and The Crown.
Permanent
Three Victorian Travellers at Mottisfont, Hampshire
Discover art and adventure in the 19th century in this exhibition of more than 80 artworks by three Victorian watercolourists. Albert Goodwin, Hercules Brabazon and Walter Tyndale travelled widely in Europe, Africa and Asia. Through paintings and personal items, journey with these artists as they capture scenes and landscapes from Morocco and Cairo to Venice and Verona.
Open until 20 April 2025
The Jurors at Runnymede, Surrey
Take a seat in this ancient landscape, where the Magna Carta was signed more than 800 years ago. Twelve bronze chairs are intricately worked with images representing key moments in the struggle for freedom around the world, as well as flowers, keys and other significant symbols. Hew Locke’s jurors’ chairs invite you to reflect on the histories and issues on display and to debate the meaning of justice.
Permanent
Writ in Water at Runnymede, Surrey
At Runnymede more than 800 years ago, the feudal barons forced King John to seal the Magna Carta. Now, Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Wallinger, in collaboration with architectural practice Studio Octopi, has created a tranquil space that gives visitors the chance to consider the ongoing significance and influences of this historic agreement. This work was commissioned in association with independent arts charity Situations.
Permanent
Exhibitions in the Midlands
Pages from Nature at Croome, Worcestershire
Two hundred years ago, Croome's botanic gardener, William Dean, documented more than 6,000 plant varieties from the gardens in his book, Hortus Croomensis. Learn more about the book, the people who influenced the gardens at the time and how their legacy can be seen at Croome today.
Open until 1 March 2026
Woven Worlds at Hardwick, Derbyshire
Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury, built Hardwick Hall to emphasise her social position. Inside is filled with treasures to display her wealth and portray her as the strong woman she'd become. You can still see Bess's 16th-century textile collection at Hardwick today, including the Gideon Tapestries – the largest set to survive in Britain.
Exhibition ongoing
Exhibitions in the North
The Botanical World of Mary Delany at Beningbrough, Yorkshire
Discover the pioneering technique of Mary Delany, an 18th-century artist, whose ‘paper mosaiks’ were celebrated as scientifically accurate botanical specimens. This new photographic display, presented in partnership with the British Museum, also includes objects by historic women artists from across the National Trust's collections, new works by contemporary artists and an interactive origami room.
Open until 23 March 2025
Embodied Cacophony at Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland
Contemporary artist and composer Liz Gre explores the spirit of Lindisfarne Castle through this light, sound and sculptural installation. The sculpture is inspired by the elemental nature of Holy Island. Visitors are invited to engage with the piece physically, exploring cacophony, non-linear time, embodiment of place, co-existing memory and imagination.
Exhibition ongoing
North East Emerging Artist Award at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
Established in 2021, the North East Emerging Artist Award takes place annually at Seaton Delaval Hall for final-year students or early-career artists. It's inspired by the hall’s long-standing tradition of supporting the arts and is open to artists working in all media who are living in or from the North East. The award aims to showcase site-specific contemporary art in a historic context.
14 May–22 June 2025
Exhibitions in Northern Ireland
Artificial Sunshine at The Argory, County Armagh
This neon-light installation, designed by Northern Irish artist Kevin Killen, places a bespoke contemporary display inside a historic house. Inspired by the glow of the acetylene gas flames that at one time lit The Argory, Artificial Sunshine gives a modern take on this once-popular form of lighting.
Permanent
Exhibitions in the South West
The World of William Blathwayt at Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire
Featuring short videos and interactive displays of items from Dyrham Park's collections, this exhibition takes visitors back to the 1690s when leading civil servant William Blathwayt set about rebuilding the estate. It introduces the transforming local, national and global climate of the period and links historic events and contemporary figures that shaped Blathwayt's world and home.
Exhibition ongoing
Inspired to stitch: Hidcote Revisited, by Janet Haigh at Hidcote, Gloucestershire
The work of embroidery artist Janet Haigh will be the subject of an exhibition coming to Hidcote this spring. Back in the mid-1970s, Hidcote was the first garden in our care that Janet ever visited and the experience had a lasting impact on her work. Her textile designs are all inspired by her love of gardens and flowers, with a particular fascination for topiary. As well as a series of new pieces inspired by Hidcote, visitors will get an insight into a career spanning more than five decades.
5 April–10 August 2025
The Red Dress at Killerton, Devon
See the Red Dress, a collaborative embroidery project begun by British artist Kirstie Macleod in 2009, at Killerton this year. The dress has been a canvas for individuals around the world to share their voices through their stitches. It's travelled to 51 countries and includes the work of 380 embroiderers (mainly women), many of whom are vulnerable and living in poverty.
15 November 2025–15 January 2026
International Photography Exhibition at Lacock, Wiltshire
See a curated selection of contemporary photoworks from the last three years of the Royal Photographic Society's International Photography Exhibition, the world's longest running photography show. The artworks represent a wide range of themes, techniques and aesthetics from 37 different photographers, reflecting how people see and think about things.
Open until 27 April 2025
Exhibitions in Wales
A State Bed restored at Erddig, Wales
Visit the Print Room to see a display of the original 18th century bed hangings from Erddig's State Bedroom, now back after an eight-year restoration. These delicate white silk textiles, embroidered with Chinese figures, pagodas, birds and flowers, were saved by Louisa Yorke after the First World War. Her journal will form part of the display alongside fragments of material, including patches of flowers and butterflies, found in her workbook.
Exhibition ongoing – see website for opening times
Travelling exhibitions
Helios at locations around the UK
We're displaying Helios, a new artwork of the sun by Luke Jerram, at several of the places in our care around the UK. This seven-metre sculpture has been made to scale and invites us to explore the sun's beauty and power up close. It combines solar imagery, light and sound to highlight its intricate details and create a unique and immersive experience. As well as the places below, Helios will be coming to Charterhouse, West Midlands; Downham Estate, Lewisham, London; Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire; and Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire.
Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
19 March–6 April 2025
Ickworth Estate, Suffolk
2–11 May 2025
Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan
23 May–1 June 2025
You might also be interested in
What's on
We've got plenty of events and activities on at the places in our care. From exhibitions and guided walks to outdoor theatre events, discover what's on near you.
News
Helios art installation
We're displaying Helios, a new sculpture by artist Luke Jerram. This seven metre piece is inspired by the sun, it combines light, sound and design to highlight the sun's intricate details.
Article
Online exhibitions
Delve into our online exhibitions, where you can see artworks and explore the history of the places and collections in our care from the comfort of your own home.
Art and collections
The art and heritage collections we care for rival the world’s greatest museums. Learn more about the collection of paintings, decorative art, costume, books, household and other objects at historic places.