A visitor with a camera up to his face, one eye closed, as he takes a photo of a nearby statue of a figure with a pointy hat and cloak on — Taking photographs at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

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.

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

More history

A bust statue of Virginia Woolf on a wall in a garden

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LGBTQ+ histories at the places we care for

Learn more about the LGBTQ+ people with connections to the places we care for and why highlighting these stories is important.

Summer sunrise at White Sheet Hill, Stourhead, Wiltshire

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History of summer solstice traditions

Explore the ancient origins, traditions and folklore of the summer solstice and discover how midsummer was celebrated in millennia past at some of the places in our care.

The restored statue of the Wrestlers at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire.

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Sporting history in the collections we care for

Taking part in sports is a popular pastime all over the world. From the origins of the Olympics to the evolution of cricket, discover sports through the ages at the collections and 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.

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.

More nature

Common spotted orchid seen at Collard Hill in Somerset

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Seven things to spot in a summer meadow

Learn about the wildlife you can see in meadows this summer, including butterflies, grasshoppers, moths and orchids.

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.

Common darter dragonfly on blade of grass at Croome, Worcestershire

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Looking out for dragonflies and damselflies

Dragonfly and damselfly numbers have been changing in recent years. Find out about the threats to their populations, how to spot them and the difference between them.

A woman lying upon a slanted piece of wood in the summer surrounded by woodland and trees taking part in forest bathing at Wallington, Northumberland,

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A beginner's guide to forest bathing

Explore the stories behind some famous British wild flowers and how wildflower meadows support important species, from butterflies to bees.

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

More food

Recipes

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

Salad with chunks of red beetroot, strips of golden beetroot, slices of striped beetroot, walnuts and soft cheese

Recipe

Beetroot, walnut and soft cheese salad

Tuck into this salad with three types of beetroot, creamy Stilton, crunchy walnuts and a tangy dressing. 

Create a delicious tray of mini raspberry and white chocolate sponge cakes

Recipe

Raspberry and white chocolate mini sponge cakes

Ideal for lunch boxes or a weekend treat, these bite-sized raspberry and white chocolate mini sponges add a fruity twist to the classic sponge.

Two gardeners harvest rhubarb from a large garden border in the walled kitchen garden at Clumber Park.

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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.

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

More gardening tips

Gardener working in the upper garden at Quarry Bank, Cheshire

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Gardening tips for summer

Find out how to get more out of your blooms this summer as our gardeners share their tips on how to garden during the warmest season.

A rose arch, covered in pink Rosa 'Lauré Davoust' roses in bloom, in the walled rose garden at Mottisfont, Hampshire

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How to make a rose arch

Learn how to make your own rose arch from former Mottisfont head gardener Jonny Bass, plus an alternative for smaller gardens.

Children at a table planting seeds in flower pots at Mottisfont, Hampshire with shrubs in the background

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Grow your own mini garden

Add a touch of colour to your windowsill and create a small haven for pollinators to thrive. Follow our easy step-by-step guide on how to grow your own mini garden.

Two volunteers working in the kitchen garden with a yellow bucket in the foreground at Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill, West Sussex

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Growing tips for allotments

Discover top tips on getting the most from your allotment or patch, and find out why growing your own fruit and vegetables is good for you in more ways than one.

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

More crafts

Making seed bombs at Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows, Cambridgeshire

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How to make wildflower seed balls

Discover how to make your own wildflower seed balls to add some colour to the garden with this step-by-step guide.

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How to make an origami blossom

Try our step-by-step blossom origami tutorial in this easy spring-inspired craft. Make flowers in different sizes and colours to decorate your home or give to friends and family.

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.

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

More virtual visits

Podcast recording with Rangers at Harewoods and Outwood in the Surrey Hills, Surrey

Podcasts

Immerse yourself in award-winning stories of history, nature and adventure linked to the places in our care with our podcasts.

Detail of the elaborate ceiling in the Tapestry Room at Nostell Priory, Yorkshire

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Online exhibitions

Delve into our online exhibitions, where you can see artworks and discover 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.

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

More film and TV

Springwatch presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan

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BBC Springwatch 2025 visits Mount Stewart

Look out for some wildlife action when Springwatch visits Mount Stewart, County Down, during the show’s week-long visit from 9 June. The woodlands, gardens, lake and coastline of the estate is home to a mix of species including pine marten, red squirrels and brown long-eared bats. Follow Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams as he introduces viewers to the wildlife found on the estate.