Detail of red and white roses

Art & collections

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Midsummer magic
pyramid stela showing the falcon-headed sun god worshipped by a baboon in a boat

Summer solstice traditions and sun worship 

The summer solstice has been marked as the high point of summer – or midsummer – since the Neolithic era. Curator Catherine Troiano looks at the traditions and folklore of this ancient festival and explores how it was observed at the places we care for in days gone by.

Painting by Henry Dawson entitled 'The New Houses of Parliament and the Thames'

Spectacular skies in our collections 

Many artists have tried to capture the fleeting moments of sunrise and sunset and the colours and drama of daybreak and dusk. We’ve selected some of the best examples in our paintings collection. Each portrays some aspect of the beauty, magnificence and tranquillity of dawn and the changing light at sunset.

E.C. Hardman, The Diver, Photograph, 1929

Dip into summer games and sport in our collections 

Our collections are a rich resource for delving into sporting cultures. From sportswear and equipment to photographs of sporting activity, along with sports-themed sculptures and paintings, the items we care for give a glimpse into our sporting past.

Step into a world of sport

Object in focus

Painting called 'A Mother and Child by a River, with Wild Roses' attributed to Mildred Anne Butler
A watercolour of butterflies and insects
Edwardian wicker picnic set, Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Detail of one of the panels of the needlework screen depicting beekeeping
Cotton fan with poppy decoration

Meadow flowers

Wildflowers surround a mother and child in this tranquil summer landscape. Thought to be painted by Irish artist Mildred Anne Butler (1858-1941), it hangs at Killerton, Devon.

Butterflies

The delicate beauty of butterflies is perfectly captured in this 18th-century watercolour. Entitled 'Butterflies and other insects at the Brazils', it is part of a set of 13 watercolours at Scotney Castle, Kent.

Picnics

Lanhydrock’s Edwardian picnic hamper has everything you need for a perfect picnic, including a kettle, spirit burner and cream container for making your own tea.

Beekeeping

Bees were originally kept in woven baskets, known as skeps. It looks like a swarm of bees have escaped from their skep in this 18th-century tapestry at Wallington, Northumberland.

Poppy fan

The perfect accessory for a summer’s evening, this early 20th-century cotton fan from Attingham Park, Shropshire, has a delicate design of poppies, daisies and corn.

Details of three portraits

Addressing our histories of slavery and colonialism 

The National Trust cares for places and collections on behalf of the nation, and many have direct and indirect links to slavery and colonialism. We're addressing these histories and their cultural significance.

Reviewing our past histories
Travelling Chariot

Introducing our remarkable treasures 

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.

Conservation volunteers cleaning ceramics at Dudmaston

Thanks to our conservation volunteers 

From volunteer room stewards, to archive and conservation volunteers, our volunteers do some incredible work. Find out what it's like caring for our collections as a volunteer.

The Fury of Athamas sculpture by John Flaxman on display at Ickworth's new exhibition

Major exhibitions 

Although our houses and buildings are currently closed, you can still enjoy some of our major exhibition highlights online. Take a peek into Nostell’s recently conserved 18th-century dolls house, discover Osterley’s treasures, and delve into the art collection at Ickworth.

Explore our exhibitions
Take a closer look
Lady Adelaide Chetwynd-Talbot

Scents and sensuality: stories of roses in our collections 

The rose is the nation's favourite bloom. More than any other flower, roses are steeped in symbolism, history and meaning which can be found in abundance in our houses, gardens and collections. Uncover the rose's stories and meanings at our places and its uses in perfume, cuisine and medicine.

All about roses
Detail of figures seated at a table in Hoogstraten's A View through a House

The art of decorative deception 

Delve into a world of deception and art trickery and discover the optical illusions hidden in our places. From trompe l’oeil paintings and architectural artifice to trick photography and secret doors, we're marking our Festival of Mischief week.

Beatrix Potter, Dinner in Mouseland, 1890-1895 / Beatrix Potter Gallery

Between naturalism and fantasy: the art of Beatrix Potter 

We house the single largest collection of Beatrix Potter's published illustrations, as well as a treasure trove of letters, photographs, unpublished drawings and manuscripts. What do her works reveal about her commitment to scientific accuracy and imaginative exploration?

Conservator checking a painting

Help us protect the collections in our care 

As a charity, we rely on donations. But our income has dropped sharply due to the coronavirus crisis. Donate now to support our remaining staff who are continuing to monitor environmental conditions of the collections in our care to prevent deterioration or damage.

Donate now

Recent acquisitions and publications

Saint Agatha, by Carlo Dolci

Latest acquisitions 

Our collections are constantly revitalised through new acquisitions. Recently, a painting by Italian artist Carlo Dolci (1616-1687) of the early Christian martyr Saint Agatha has returned to Osterley Park and House in Middlesex thanks to a grant from Art Fund and other generous donations.

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 Bulletin.

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