
Art and collections
We care for one of the world's largest and most significant collections of art and heritage objects. Explore the highlights, our latest major exhibitions, curatorial research and more.
The annual Octavia Hill Lecture is an opportunity for guest historians and cultural commentators to lead us in reflecting on our national history and culture. Watch the inaugural lecture with guest speaker Neil MacGregor and panel discussion chaired by Times Radio’s Aasmah Mir.
The new Octavia Hill Lecture series is named after one of our three co-founders and is an opportunity to explore our shared past and place in the world today. Each annual lecture will be delivered by a guest historian or cultural commentator, who'll reflect on national history and culture through the lens of the places and objects in our care.
The first Octavia Hill Lecture, in collaboration with Times Radio, was recorded on 2 February 2023 at The Royal Society, London, and our guest speaker Neil MacGregor is a writer, broadcaster, historian and former director of the British Museum and National Gallery. He explores how human history is represented through the objects we care for, and how our interpretation of the past can help us shape the future.
The lecture is followed by a panel discussion chaired by Times Radio presenter Aasmah Mir. The panellists joining Neil MacGregor include founder and creative director of History Hit and broadcaster Dan Snow, Times journalist and best-selling author Sathnam Sanghera, and historian, author and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb.
The link between how we see the past and how we want to shape the future seems more urgent and obvious now than before.
Watch the inaugural Octavia Hill Lecture in collaboration with Times Radio. Join guest speaker Neil MacGregor (writer, broadcaster, historian and former director of the British Museum and National Gallery) as he reflects on our national history and culture through the lens of places and objects in the care of the National Trust.
Explore the topics covered in the lecture with Times Radio presenter Aasmah Mir as she chairs the panel discussion and Q&A with the audience. The panellists joining Neil MacGregor include historian and television presenter Dan Snow MBE, Times journalist and best-selling author Sathnam Sanghera, and historian, author and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb.
We care for one of the world's largest and most significant collections of art and heritage objects. Explore the highlights, our latest major exhibitions, curatorial research and more.
We’re working in collaboration with Times Radio to bring history to everyone. Times Radio provides intelligent and thought-provoking live coverage of news, politics and culture. Together, we’ll debate and explore the shared past and our place in the world today.
Learn about people from the past, discover remarkable works of art and brush up on your knowledge of architecture and gardens.
One of three founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill is among the greatest social entrepreneurs in British history and the impact of her life and work is still felt today.
Discover how 18th-century owner Thomas Duncombe II planned a verdant garden with lavish temples, and learn about the architect and artists he employed to bring his vision to life.
Take a look at our timeline to find out what the team have been working on.
Penrhyn Castle is the former home of the Pennant family built on the proceeds of the North Wales slate industry and sugar plantations in Jamaica.
Discover more about Kedleston’s vibrant story and how it’s entangled with global histories, from Rome to India.
Clandon house’s history spans more than three centuries, from its origins as a grand Georgian home to its time as a First World War military hospital and subsequent restoration in the 1960s.