An armillary helicentric planetarium in Admiral at Snowshill Manor, Gloucestershire

Art & collections

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Mechanical arm on show at Cotehele

Introducing our remarkable collections 

We care for one of the world’s largest art and heritage collections. With close to one million objects at over 200 historic places, a surprise discovery awaits you around every corner.

Portrait of Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples / Attingham Park

Europe & us in 99 historic objects 

In this year when our political relationship with the continent has been so hotly debated, we have put together a selection of items from our vast collections that help examine our nation’s rich and ancient cultural connections to our neighbours. Every weekday we’ll be highlighting a new item to discover what story it has to tell.

Explore the collection
Winston Churchill's speech box on display at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Churchill's life in five objects 

Each item in the collections at Churchill's family home Chartwell, tells a different story about his life. Our curator Neil Walters highlights his pick of Churchill's personal belongings that we hope to keep at Chartwell.

See our curator's top five

Exhibition highlights

Passions & Possessions

Our special exhibitions 

Every year we host special exhibitions and new displays in some of our most iconic buildings and outdoor spaces. See what's on in 2016.

Installation called 'Chair Play' by artist Will Datson

Trust New Art 

Get connected to our places through our contemporary art events and projects, in partnership with the Arts Council.

Dress conservators preparing Ellen Terry beetle wing dress for display at Smallhythe Place, Kent.

If clothes could talk... 

Why was Marie Antoinette’s garters designed by a dentist? Why was a 19th-century lord determined to make a coat in a day? And why did dressmakers painstakingly sew jewel beetles’ wings onto a costume for Lady Macbeth?

Discover the garments with tales to tell
Close up of the wallpaper in the Chinese Bedroom at Felbrigg House, Norfolk

The hidden meaning in Chinese design at our places 

Did you know that peonies, pine trees and plums symbolise specific wishes and feelings in oriental design? Discover the unexpected meanings of the intertwining birds and flowers on 'chinoiserie' wallpaper, vases and textiles.

The secrets of oriental design
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?

Find out more

Recent acquisitions and loans

Miniature painting of Lord Herbert of Cherbury by Isaac Oliver / Powis Castle

Latest acquisitions 

The artworks and objects at our places are constantly revitalised through new acquisitions. Most recently an iconic Elizabethan miniature portrait has been secured for Powis Castle and for the nation.

A Peasant Family by the 3 Le Nain brothers / Petworth House

Loans to others 

Each year we lend many items from our collections to external exhibitions. You may be surprised to find out where our objects go on show.

Explore our collections

The majority of objects in our care are recorded in our online database. You'll find many intriguing items to explore at places near you

Browse our online collections