Start your journey of discovery
Delve into history, get tips from our experts, learn a new skill and go behind the scenes of your favourite places.
Find out more about people from the past, discover remarkable art and collections and brush up on your knowledge of architecture and gardens.
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.
Learn about the mysterious markings our ancestors carved into doorways, fireplaces and joists to ward off evil and protect their homes from witches and demons.
Dummy boards, also called silent companions, are life-size, flat, wooden figures. Find out why they were popular in the 17th century and where you can see them at the places we care for.
Learn about some of the misleading objects, paintings and architectural features in the historic houses we look after, and discover the truth behind these optical illusions.
Delve into one of the world's greatest collections of art and historical objects. From paintings to sculptures, there’s something for every art lover to discover.
With its bright colours, natural spectacles and abundant harvests, autumn has inspired artists for generations. From paintings and tapestries to ceramics, discover autumn through the collections in our care.
‘The Mask of Youth’ gave Queen Elizabeth I ageless beauty in art. Read more about the history and where you can see examples in the collections in our care.
We look after the largest collection of tapestries in Britain and one of the largest in the world. Discover some examples of this outstanding craftmanship at the places in our care.
Read the stories of people from history and learn about their connections to the historic places in our care, from Beatrix Potter to the Beatles.
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.
Learn about remarkable women in history linked to the places in our care, from the political player who helped make Charles II king to the archaeologist who helped discover a 7th-century Saxon ship burial.
As well as a founder of the National Trust, Hardwicke Rawnsley was a religious man, writer, social reformer and active campaigner for the protection of the Lake District.
Read up on architecture with in-depth articles about architectural styles, interior design through history and architectural structures.
Dovecotes were built by wealthy and aristocratic families from the Norman period onwards and doves were kept for both food, feathers and as status symbols.
Find out from our team of building surveyors how you can keep your own ‘stately home’ maintained to a National Trust standard this year
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.
Discover the history of the natural landscapes around you. From glasshouses to sunken lanes, understand more about how these gardens and green spaces were formed.
Wander through our collections and gardens to learn the high-society origins of the ferns, orchids and pelargoniums in your home.
Status symbol, hunting ground and a source of building materials. Discover the important roles deer parks played in aristocratic and royal society.
Brown designed landscapes that fitted in seamlessly with the surrounding countryside. So how do you spot the designs of one of the greatest gardeners of all time?
The history of the English landscape garden is infused with political meaning. Learn the history and political stories behind this garden style characterised by structured informality.
Delve into history, get tips from our experts, learn a new skill and go behind the scenes of your favourite places.