Collections

We care for one of the world's greatest collections of art and historical items. Over a million objects are held at over two hundred historic places.

Caring for our collections

Treasure hunt

Emile de Bruijn © James Dobson

Ever wondered about the story behind the items we have in our collections? Treasure Hunt is a blog written by our collections enthusiast and Registar, Emile de Bruijn, and sheds light on some of our more unusual items.

Tapestry TLC

Jars of varying degrees of coloured fluid

The water after wash stage of cleaning the tapestries, l-r first clean to last clean.

In 1996 a full survey of the Gideon Tapestries revealed that an estimated £1.7 million was needed to repair, clean and save the unique collection. Find out how our team have been working to save them.

Rare Missal at Lyme

Close up of italic writing on a manuscript.

Prayers for the Pope have been crossed out in accordance with Henry VIII's instructions.

Published in 1487 by England's first printer William Caxton, The Lyme Missal is the single most important printed book in any National Trust collection.

Discover a striking portrait at Ickworth

Portrait by Velzáquez at Ickworth © NTPL/John Hammond

The portrait by Velzáquez is on display at Ickworth, Suffolk.

Ickworth is home to striking works of art, including a particulalry important portrait by Velzáquez.

Collections online

Shoe trees in boots © NT/Tyntesfield

Shoe trees in boots

You can now explore 700,000 objects from artistic treasures to the everyday, quirky and bizarre on our new collections site. What will you discover today?

Knowledge bank

And a wooden leg...

When you think of National Trust treasures, you probably imagine vases, paintings and furniture, but at Plas Newydd, we have the Marquess of Angelsey's wooden leg.

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Preserving historic places is an expensive task. Help us preserve them, for ever for everyone.

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