The National Trust is independent of Government, relying for income on membership fees, donations and legacies, and revenue raised from our commercial operations such as restaurants, shops and holiday cottages.

What we protect:

• We protect over 709 miles of coastline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In total we look after 627,000 acres (254,000 hectares) of countryside, moorland, beaches and coastline.

• Amongst the historic properties in the Trust's care are 215 houses and gardens, 40 castles, 76 nature reserves, 6 World Heritage Sites, 12 lighthouses, and 43 pubs and inns.

• The millions of objects in the care of the National Trust reflect its diversity. Conservation staff and volunteers care for an astonishing range of structures and contents, from 26 sets of samurai armour, or 19 magnificent paintings by Turner, to the Oscar awarded to George Bernard Shaw, the national collection of lawnmowers, 57 meat strainers or a photograph album the size of a postage stamp.

Members and visitors

• An estimated 50 million people visited the National Trust's open-air properties in 2008.

• Our pay for entry properties were visited by more than 14 million people in 2008.

• The Trust now has more than 3.6 million members.

Other facts

• 4 out of 5 of the National Trust's historic houses open to the public run at a loss. The deficit is made up from central funds.

• We have reciprocal visiting arrangements with thirteen commonwealth 'National Trusts', allowing our members access to properties in places as diverse as Australia, the Cayman Islands, Jersey and Malta.