Special exhibitions guide
Here's our guide to current and future exhibitions at our places. Take your pick from exhibitions showcasing Grayson Perry, Rossetti drawings, Morris & Co. designs, explorations of humanity and home, powerful women, nature-inspired art, fashion and more.
Objects in focus
Rare glass fragment found at Chedworth
A fragment of an 1,800-year-old glass fish bottle was discovered at our Chedworth Roman Villa site in Gloucestershire. Image © National Trust / Rod Kirkpatrick / F Stop Press
Tennis ball, 16th century
One of several Tudor-era tennis balls found during the restoration of the Long Gallery at Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire built in the 16th century for promenading and tennis playing.
Tennis racquet press, early 20th century
When the game of tennis moved outdoors, wooden rackets could get warped. This racket presse from Lanhydrock in Cornwall was used to keep frames flat and taut.
Swimming costume, c. 1890s
This costume from Calke Abbey, Derbyshire, consists of bloomers and sailor's collar. Swimwear at the time was designed to cover women's bodies, not to facilitate swimming.
Swimwear, c. 1920s
Swimwear eventually became less bulky and better-suited for swimming – and diving. This photograph, taken by E.C. Hardman, shows a woman poised to dive off a rock.
Swimwear, c. 1960s
This high-cut suit, from Killerton, Devon, was made by the Dutch label Tweka who boasted offering 'wearable and fashionable swimsuits in which you could actually swim'.
