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Guided tour in the garden during the Fungi Festival at Emmetts Garden, Kent
Guided tour in the garden during the Fungi Festival at Emmetts Garden, Kent | © National Trust Images/Simon Weller

Discover and learn

Would you like to dig a bit deeper into history, find gardening tips or even make your own World Heritage Site? Discover more about the places we care for and pick up some new skills. 

History

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

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.

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

Black histories and the National Trust 

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.

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

Spectacular skies: dawns and dusks in the collections we care for 

Explore the artworks in our collections that capture the beauty of sunrise and sunset. Learn how artists have used seascapes and sunlight to bring peaceful scenes and industrial backdrops alike to life.

Oil painting on canvas, View of Dordercht (from the Maas) by Aelbert Cuyp

War memorials in our care 

We care for around 170 war memorials, with about 70 of those from the First World War. Discover the stories behind the monuments and find out where you can find them.

The War Memorial Garden at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

Nature

Get closer to nature with our guides on identifying fauna, spotting wildlife in their natural habitats, enjoying the outdoors responsibly, and much more.

Red squirrel spotting tips 

Learn how to spot red squirrels, the best times to see them and how to tell them apart from grey squirrels.

Red squirrel sitting on a mossy rock eating a nut

Facts about fungi 

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

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

Our guide to barn owls 

Barn owls are instantly recognisable from their heart-shaped faces and distinctive feathers. Learn where they prefer to hunt and nest, and the kinds of habitats they use at the places in our care.

Barn owl, perched in early evening at Orford Ness, Suffolk

A guide to identifying British trees 

Learn how to identify trees from their leaves, bark and shape, how to tell similar species apart and how they change as they get older.

Sheep enjoying the shade of an oak tree in the parkland at Wentworth Castle Gardens, Yorkshire

Food

Try some of our recipes at home and find out why we champion sustainable, local and seasonal food.

Recipes 

Browse a selection of recipe ideas, from cream-tea classics and family-friendly treats to meat-free dishes and seasonal delights.

Honey and apple scone with jar of honey and two apple fizz drinks on the side

Chicken, leek and tarragon pie 

This family favourite creamy chicken and leek pie, topped with fresh herbs and puff pastry, is the perfect choice to warm you up on chilly nights.

Chicken, leek and tarragon pie on a plate with a fork

Lentil, chickpea and fresh coriander soup 

Warm, hearty and packed with healthy goodness, this soup has a full-bodied flavour finished with aromatic notes of coriander, giving it a light curry touch.

Lentil and chickpea soup

Guide to seasonal food 

Discover which vegetables and fruit to harvest, plant and buy each month with our handy guide. Growing your own fruit and vegetables reduces food miles, which helps the environment.

Two gardeners crouched down to work on the vegetable patches in the Walled Garden at Llanerchaeron, Wales

Gardening tips

Learn how to make the most of your garden with tips from our expert gardeners, plus make your plot more nature-friendly with ideas from the BBC's Secret Garden.

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 green space for colder weather and keep your plants thriving.

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

How to build a wildlife-friendly garden 

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

Blue tit on a bird box with a tree and leaves in the background at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

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. Discover top tips for peat-free gardening in your own green space.

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

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.

The Community Allotments at Minnowburn, County Down

Crafts

Follow our step-by-step craft guides and create something new, from eco-friendly gifts to projects that help the wildlife on your doorstep.

Carve a pumpkin lantern 

Learn how to make a pumpkin lantern this Halloween and find tips for recycling it afterwards. You can also find ideas for using natural materials as an alternative to plastic decorations.

Carved pumpkin display for Halloween at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire

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 on to cotton fabric and they'll release their natural pigments for a simple and effective design.

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

How to make a rangoli craft 

Many people create rangoli to symbolise prosperity as part of Diwali celebrations, which is an annual Hindu festival of light. Create your own rangoli with this guide.

A finished rangoli piece in a Diya lamp pattern

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.

Making a pinecone bird feeder

Virtual visit

Immerse yourself in nature, beauty and history from the comfort of your own home with virtual exhibitions, behind-the-scenes videos or our podcasts.

Podcasts 

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

A  group of people outdoors making a hydro podcast recording at Cragside, Northumberland

Online exhibitions 

Delve into our online exhibitions, where you can explore artworks and discover the history of the places and collections we look after from your seat.

The bowl is painted showing male figures in Manchu dress mounted on horses carrying bows and arrows, one appears to hold a matchlock, perhaps with a bayonet, they are chasing deer and a leopard,

Explore Holnicote Estate 

Take an interactive 360° virtual tour of the diverse landscapes and habitats on the Holnicote Estate in Somerset. Roam around beaver enclosures, ancient oak woodland and saltmarshes, and learn how conservation is shaping the future of this estate.

Wildflower meadow at Holnicote Estate, Somerset

Film and TV

Step into the spotlight and explore the real-life locations behind your favourite films and TV shows, from grand estates in period dramas to magical landscapes in fantasy worlds.

Jane Austen film and TV locations 

Find out which places in our care have featured in TV and film adaptations of Jane Austen novels. Here’s a list of some of the best.

George MacKay and Daisy Edgar-Jones in Sense and Sensibility

Explore Harry Potter filming locations 

From Hogwarts to Malfoy Manor, explore the wizarding world of Harry Potter through the places in our care.

A large metal cauldron in the middle of a room at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

Bridgerton filming locations 

Discover which places were used as filming locations for the fourth series of Netflix's lavish Regency-era drama Bridgerton.

Yerin Ha as Sophie Beckett and Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton series four
Two visitors walking through the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal with the abbey ruins in the background

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.