View of the White Drawing Room, Arlington Court, Devon, circa 1914, watercolour, by Chrissie Peters, (d.1939)

Art & collections

Seasonal highlights

A National Trust Miscellany is a new book that explores quirky and interesting facts about the National Trust — A National Trust Miscellany

Discover secrets, surprises and fun facts

Did you know that we keep a clock with no numbers or hands at Cotehele and that we employ a gold mine manager at Dolaucothi? Discover more intriguing facts like these from the new book, A National Trust Miscellany.

View the book on the online shop

Woodblock print by Andō Hiroshige — Andō Hiroshige, section of a three-part woodblock print entitled ‘The Plum Garden’ (Sono no Ume), 1853 / Cragside NT 1226410

Spring into our collections

Artists and designers are always taking inspiration from the natural world, from wildlife and plants to the changing seasons. Celebrate spring through some of its most evocative depictions in our collections.

Explore objects inspired by the joys of spring

Cabinet with doors open — Ham House's 17th-century cabinet veneered with floral marquetry

Ham House’s cabinet of floral marquetry mastery

At Ham House in Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey there is an exquisite 17th-century cabinet intricately inlaid with pieces of colourful woods and exotic materials. They come together to create an abundant display of spring flowers, birds and butterflies.

Read the article

Introducing our remarkable collections

We look after one of the world’s largest art and heritage collections. With more than one million objects at over 200 historic places - including over 400,000 book titles - a surprise discovery awaits you around every corner.

Love among the Ruins by Burne-Jones at Wightwick Manor

Greatest works of art in our collections

Unearth some of the amazing objects featured in our 125 Treasures book in this series of articles exploring the greatest works of art in our collections. From paintings and sculptures, to books, ceramics and tapestries, uncover the stories behind these remarkable items.

Explore our exhibitions

A watercolour of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Discover the Beatrix Potter exhibition at the V&A

The Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature exhibition is running at the V&A throughout 2022. The exhibition, created in collaboration between the V&A and the National Trust, explores the life story of the beloved children's author-illustrator.

Visit Newton House, Dinefwr to see works by Hannah Walters, ceramic artist

Special exhibitions guide

We host art exhibitions at some of the places in our care. Take a look at our guide to discover what's on, including a glimpse into the decorative techniques used at Newton House, Dinefwr, Wales and extraordinary images of galaxies, aurorae and skyscapes in Astronomy Photographer of the Year at Lacock, Wiltshire. Plus, find out what’s coming soon in 2022.

Showcasing our paintings and treasures

A Modern Picture Gallery by William Frederick Witherington RA (1785-1865) at Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire

Highlights from 100 Paintings

The paintings in the National Trust's care could rival those of the world’s greatest art galleries. Delve into some of the highlighted works from our new book, 100 Paintings from the Collections of the National Trust, and discover pictures by Sir Joshua Reynolds, J.M.W. Turner and Vanessa Bell, to name but a few. The book includes paintings from medieval to modern times, from Titian and Rembrandt to Barbara Hepworth.

Celebrating 125 treasures in our collections

From artistic masterpieces and vast tapestries to precious personal possessions, the range and breadth of the collections in our care is astonishing. Uncover more about some of the intriguing objects featured in our recent 125 Treasures book and dig deeper into their stories. You can get closer to some of these treasures which are on special display at our places this autumn.

Objects in focus

Egg-shaped stone box with diamond hinge and fastening by Fabergé

A pair of blown eggs, with painted faces and lace bonnets

Crocus pot with lid made by Barr, Flight and Barr, Worcester, early 19th century, on show at Blickling Norfolk

Fabergé egg

This Fabergé egg, decorated with a snowflake-hinged clasp, is seen here in its original silk-lined box. It is one of many exquisite objects on show in ‘Treasured Possessions: Riches of Polesden Lacey’, opening 25 April 2022.

Egg art

Decorating eggs has long been an Easter tradition. These two blown eggshells from the Beatrix Potter Gallery, Cumbria have charming painted faces and lace bonnets.

Springtime visitors

Cuckoos are one of our most distinctive springtime visitors, though sadly now declining in number. This illustration by Edward Lear features in John Gould’s 1837 book, ‘Birds of Europe’ at Blickling Hall.

Crocus pot

This 19th-century crocus pot from Blickling Hall, Norfolk was used to 'force' spring bulbs into flowering indoors during winter months. The cover has nozzles to support flowering stems, while water in the base would feed the roots.

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Still from the behind the scenes at Kingston Lacy

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Explore Kingston Lacy's historical collection

Step into Kingston Lacy in Dorset, the historic home of the Bankes family, and discover a treasure trove of art and rare objects with astonishing stories to tell. Join Dr Elena Greer, Property Curator, and Tarnya Cooper, Curation and Conservation Director, as they take you on a tour of the items the family kept in this grand house.

Discover Kingston Lacy

Tapestries on three walls in The Vyne's Tapestry Room with fireplace — Eighteenth century tapestries in The Vyne's Tapestry Room

Rare surviving tapestries return to The Vyne

Full of colourful scenes and fantastical animals, these highly decorative Soho tapestries captured how Europeans imagined the 'Far East' in the early 18th century. They were removed eight years ago for safekeeping when a succession of storms caused damage to the former Tudor powerhouse. On inspection their fragile state was revealed, from degrading yarns to warped backings that were putting strain on the fabric. After several years of conservation the tapestries are back on display at The Vyne in Hampshire.

Find out how the tapestries were restored

An adult clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella

Common pests at the places in our care

Last year our staff identified and logged 56,742 insects at the places we care for. The five most common insect pests found in 2021 remain the same as those recorded in 2020 but the webbing clothes moth has knocked silverfish out of the number-one spot. Learn more about these small but destructive creatures and discover how we reduce the damage they cause to houses and collections.

Protect the buildings and collections in our care

We look after over 300 historic buildings and nearly one million works of art, which need constant care to maintain them. You can help protect these important buildings and collections by donating today.

Help our buildings and collections

Addressing our stories of colonialism and historic slavery

The legacies of colonialism and historic slavery are reflected in the nation’s places, buildings and collections, including those looked after by the National Trust. We're committed to uncovering, exploring and sharing these histories. Learn more about these connections and download our recently published report into colonialism and historic slavery in full.

Recent acquisitions and publications

Latest acquisitions

Our collections are constantly revitalised through new acquisitions. Recently, a travelling carriage has been donated to the National Trust’s Carriage Museum at Arlington Court, Devon and a 17th-century perspective painting by Hendrick van Steenwyck has returned to Ham House, Surrey.

Hispano-Moresque basil pot, 1440–70, Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Art and collections publications

Delve deeper into our collections and curatorial research in some of the key specialist publications the National Trust produces, including the lavishly illustrated Historic Houses & Collections Annual and Art, Buildings & Collections (ABC) Bulletin. Our latest autumn 2021 ABC Bulletin is now available to download.

Explore our collections

The majority of objects in our care are recorded on our National Trust Collections website. You'll find many intriguing items to explore at places near you

Search our online collections