The National Trust cares for one of the world's greatest fine and decorative art collections.

More than a million objects are held and shown in over two hundred historic house museums - historic houses with collections. There are also many historic collections in special museums and displays.

Most of the works of art, furniture and other objects in the collections were acquired and brought together by country house owners, as contemporary furnishings and as dazzling collections reflecting taste and patronage over many centuries.

The collections are international, with objects from Egypt and Greece, China, India, Britain and Europe, and from around the world. There are many important historic libraries with rare books.

This section provides an introduction to the collections, highlighting the major categories, and linking to property information and other topics.