Building conservation

We protect historic buildings and buildings in the wider landscape. Our building conservation team works hard to ensure they are preserved for ever, for everyone using traditional conservation techniques

A mirror is used to reveal new views in the basement at Clandon Park, Surrey

Our biggest conservation challenges

The south east corner of the house reflected on the moat

Ightham Mote, Kent 

It's rare for a conservation project to take 15 years. Which is why the work we carried out at Ightham Mote in Kent is often called our biggest conservation project to date.

View across mill and Quarry Bank House

Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire 

Explore Quarry Bank, once the site of one of the largest cotton manufacturing businesses in Britain. In summer 2018, after a four year transformation project, the historic cotton mill reopened. You can now explore the mill owners’ home, a workers’ cottage, an 19th-century glasshouse as well as the mill itself.

Visitor in the basement corridor at Clandon Park, Surrey

Clandon Park, Surrey 

Brand new for 2018, embark on an atmospheric journey, deep into the basement spaces at Clandon Park, reopened for the first time since a devastating fire in 2015.

Detail of the ceiling of the Drawing Room at Attingham Park, Shropshire

A brief history of paint at our places 

Past owners of country houses have had an enormous influence on historic interiors by indulging their passion for the latest fashion or covering an existing decorative scheme because it was too garish for their taste. Paintings Conservation Adviser Christine Sitwell takes a look at four different National Trust places to tell the story of wall paint through the ages.

Adding colour to our lives
The library at Blickling Hall, Norfolk

Protecting Blickling's library  

Drafty windows, encroaching damp and constant light exposure mean life in a 400 year old building is not easy for a book. With over 12,000 volumes in their care, the staff at Blickling Estate in Norfolk are beginning a mammoth 5-year project to protect the books.

Conserving the collection
The hidden painting in Morris' bedroom

Pre-Raphaelite discovery at Red House 

Concealed behind a wardrobe at Red House in Kent, conservation staff have made a startling discovery. Originally thought to be two painted figures, the artwork in Morris' bedroom has now been revealed as a whole wall painting and is believed to be the work of William Morris and his friends, all of whom are renowned Pre-Raphaelite artists.

Red House uncovers the past

Preserving history

Conservation Assistant at work at Osterley Park

Our conservation work  

Caring for hundreds of historic houses and gardens requires constant effort to make sure everything stays in tip top condition. Find out about the latest projects and how you can help to keep your favourite places special forever.

Interior of the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio

The six principles of conservation 

Protection and preservation are at the heart of conservation. These six principles guide our work, helping us uncover the secrets of the past and bring history to life for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Conservator Carmen Vida cleaning a decorative set of Flight, Barr & Barr porcelain from the Ballroom.

Meet the conservators 

Hard at work in the conservation studio at Knole is a team of six dedicated conservators, tasked with preserving the ornate collection for years to come. Specialising in everything from paper and paintings to furniture and frames, the team can be seen in the studio every week from Wednesday to Saturday.

Peek behind the scenes
Walking in autumn sun at Fountains Abbey

The National Trust and the Hague Convention 

In 2017 the UK government ratified the 1954 Hague Convention – an agreement that aims to safeguard our cultural property in times of conflict, and ensure UK forces overseas respect the heritage of other cultures. Find out what this means for the places we look after.

Artist impression of what Seaton Delavall Hall will look like when recreated

Give to our Bring Stories to Life appeal 

Three very special places need your support in 2018. Will you help with donations to transform and revitalise Sutton Hoo, Seaton Delaval Hall and Stowe Gardens? With your support we can bring their stories to life and help visitors experience their true spirit and heritage.

Donate now to our 2018 appeal
Conservators Judy Wetherall and Pete Jenkins retouching one of eight gilded sconces in the new Conservation Studio

Faded magnificence: Rescuing Knole and its collections from decay 

Discover more about our work to save Knole in Kent from centuries of damp and decay. Curator Emma Slocombe explores the project as its state-of-the-art Conservation Studio opens to the public.

Find out more
Thank you

Heritage

Learn more about how we look after for the special places in our care and get a glimpse of some of the conservation projects we're working on at the moment.

Find out more on heritage