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Staff and volunteer showing plates to visitors at Knole, Kent
Volunteers with visitors at Knole | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Discover and learn

Would you like to dig a bit deeper into history, find gardening tips or even make a bug hotel? Discover more about the places you love and pick up some new skills. 

History

Learn about people and places from the past and discover remarkable works of art, architecture and gardens.

Lion of Judah flag raised above the house at Dunham Massey with a grass circle in the foreground and white clouds in the background
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Black histories and the National Trust 

This Black History Month, discover the places and collections we care for that have connections to Black histories. Learn more about the people behind these connections, including the lady of the house at Dyrham Park in South Gloucestershire and an exiled emperor at Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester.

Close-up detail of Medusa's head at the back of the statue of Fame and Pegasus (c1705) by Andries Carpentiere, at Powis Castle, Wales
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Mysterious objects in our collections 

There are many intriguing objects with connections to magic, mystery or death at the places in our care. From a witch's cauldron to death masks and a boat made of bones, discover some of the most mysterious objects in our collections.

Exterior of Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
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The history of architecture 

Learn how both social and technological change have influenced architecture throughout history, and find out where to see examples of each period at the places we look after.

Dahlias in bloom in the Dahlia Garden at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire, in September.
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The history of dahlias 

Uncover the horticultural history of the dahlia, from its origins in Central America to becoming an inspiration for legendary crime writer Agatha Christie.

Nature

Read our guides to help you get closer to nature. Learn how to identify birdsong and spot bats, water voles and ancient trees, or have a go at forest bathing, rock pooling and many more activities.

Red squirrel on the feeder at Allan Bank, Cumbria
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Top places to spot red squirrels 

Find out about the best places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to see the elusive red squirrel. Autumn is a great time to spot them as they're busy gathering food ahead of winter.

Fungi growing on the woodland floor next to a fallen tree trunk
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Facts about fungi 

Fungi play a vital role in the natural world and decomposition process, helping break down organic woodland material. Learn all you need to know about these important organisms.

A wide shot of a few cedar of Lebanon trees bordering the lawn at Upton House, Warwickshire
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Ancient and notable trees 

Ancient trees are links to our past, they're species-rich habitats that support countless other organisms. Discover what makes a tree ancient and how to recognise them.

Close view of fossils at the disused Loftus Alum Works, North Yorkshire
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Common fossils to find at the coast 

Do you know your ammonites from your devil’s toenails? Discover how to identify some of the fossils commonly found around the UK coast and where you might see them.

Film and TV

Featuring in costume dramas, fantasy worlds and fairy tales, discover the films and TV shows that have been made at National Trust places.

Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott being filmed cooking in an outdoor kitchen at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
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Ainsley's National Trust Cook Off 

Find out about ITV's new series, Ainsley's National Trust Cook Off, where celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott hosts a friendly cooking competition at some of the kitchen gardens in our care.

Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton stood next to each other inside Claydon House, Buckinghamshire
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Bridgerton filming locations 

Discover which places were used as filming locations for the three series of Netflix's lavish Regency-era drama Bridgerton and the spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Collections and house manager at Polesden Lacey cleaning a red Faberge egg
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Hidden Treasures of the National Trust 

Follow our conservators, curators and volunteers at work and get closer to the objects they care for in the second series of Hidden Treasures of the National Trust.

TV presenter Matt Baker during the filming of Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker
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Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker 

We've been searching for a tenant farmer to manage a vacant farm in Northumberland. You can follow along by tuning in to Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker – a new TV show on Channel 4. The series features seven shortlisted applicants applying for a 10-year tenancy on the Wallington estate.

Gardening tips

Learn from our gardeners and make the most of your garden, plot or window box.

A male member of the gardening team using a rake in a flower bed at Mount Stewart, County Down
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Gardening tips for autumn 

Would you like to get more out of your garden this autumn? Our experts share their tips on how to prepare your garden for colder weather and keep your plants thriving.

Gardeners adding compost to the beds at Nymans, West Sussex
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How to make your own compost 

Follow these simple steps to make your own nutrient-packed compost at home. Learn about the qualities of good compost and find out top tips, including how to turn your heap and build your compost beds.

Two blue tits perched on a green bird feeder with brick wall in the background
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How to build a wildlife-friendly garden 

Looking for new ways to help your local wildlife? Here are some of our top tips on how to make your garden a haven for animals, birds and insects.

Green cuttings sprouting in natural plastic-free pots and peat-free compost
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Guide to peat-free gardening 

We've committed to going peat free as an organisation, and all the plants we grow, buy and sell are potted in peat-free compost. Hear from our team of gardening experts and discover top tips for peat-free gardening in your green space.

Food

Discover the benefits of eating seasonally and try some National Trust recipes for yourself.

Spiced toffee apple cake

Recipes 

Browse a selection of National Trust recipe ideas, from classics such as cheese scones and family-friendly treats to vegetarian and vegan dishes and seasonal delights.

A tray of sausage rolls just cooked
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Beningbrough pork and apple sausage rolls 

The walled garden at Beningbrough supplies the apples for this savoury favourite. If you don't have Bramleys available for making at home, choose a tart dessert apple instead.

An ornate teapot set on a low table with a plate of scones behind
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The history of tea 

Tea first arrived in Britain in the mid-17th century, when it was so expensive that only the incredibly wealthy could afford it. Find out the connections that the places in our care have to this simple brew.

Gardener picking fennel from the vegetable garden at Speke Hall, Liverpool
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Guide to seasonal food 

Grow your own fruit and vegetables and help the environment by reducing food miles. Find out what to harvest, plant and buy each month with our handy guide to seasonal food.

Crafts

Follow one of our many how-to guides and become an expert in something new in no time.

Looking down onto a table where someone is hammering leaves onto a cotton tote bag to create a pattern.
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How to make a leaf print tote bag 

Create your own nature-inspired tote bag using leaves gathered from your local park or garden with this guide. Simply hammer leaves onto cotton fabric and they'll release their natural pigments for a simple and effective design.

Adding the finishing touches to the bee box
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How to build a bee box 

Bee populations have been dwindling in recent years, and building homes is just one way of encouraging them to stick around. Follow these steps to build your own nesting box to attract bees to your garden.

Making a pinecone bird feeder
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How to make a bird feeder 

If you’d like to see more birds in your outdoor space, discover how you can make a simple bird feeder with just a few items and ingredients.

Volunteer mending dry stone wall, with traditional hammer placed on top of wall
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Learn how to build a dry stone wall 

Ever wanted to build your own dry stone wall? Find out how by following a step-by-step guide from one of our expert rangers.

Virtual visit

Enjoy a virtual exhibition, watch a behind-the-scenes video or listen to one of our podcasts.

Recording the Wild Isles podcast 'Beginner's guide to camping' on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour
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National Trust Podcast: series eight 

Immerse yourself in the past or explore the natural world from your armchair in series eight of the National Trust Podcast.

Treasures of Osterley exhibition at Osterley Park and House, London
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Online exhibitions 

Delve into our online exhibitions, where you can see artworks and explore the history of the places and collections in our care from the comfort of your own home.

Wildflower meadow at Holnicote Estate, Somerset

Holnicote, Somerset 

Take an interactive 360° virtual tour of the diverse landscapes and habitats on the Holnicote Estate. Explore beaver enclosures, ancient oak woodland, saltmarshes and more in this immersive audio experience, and learn about the vital work for nature in west Somerset.

A group of young adults kicking up autumn leaves on a walk around the estate at Hardwick, Derbyshire

Become a member

Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.