Introducing our remarkable collections

The front of the Kings Cabinet at Chirk Castle — Chirk Castle's beautiful King's Cabinet was a gift from King Charles II to Sir Thomas Myddelton II

Close up of hands holding open a 15th-century illustrated Book of Hours — This 14th-century Book of Hours is the oldest book in The Vyne's library

Sèvres garniture, 1780 / Upton House, Warwickshire — Set of three soft paste porcelain vases, painted with quay scenes, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, 1780 / Upton House NT 446263-4

The mahogany built-in library and medal cabinet made — The mahogany medal cabinet made by Chippendale & Rannie for the library at Nostell, West Yorkshire / NT 959788

Rowland Lockey, Sir Thomas More and his Family (after Hans Holbein the Younger), 1592 / Nostell Priory NT 960059

Mechanical arm on show at Cotehele — Mechanical arm dating to the 17th century / Cotehele NT 347324

See Collections website NT 1288953 — Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833-1898), Love among the Ruins, 1894 / Wightwick Manor NT 1288953

We look after one of the world's largest and most significant holdings of fine art and heritage objects – a treasure chest of history. No other organisation conserves such a range of heritage locations with buildings, contents, gardens and settings intact, nor provides such extensive public access.

Our places, our collections

Many works of art, furniture and other objects in the collections were commissioned, acquired and accumulated by country house owners over many centuries, as contemporary furnishings and as dazzling displays.

Oak and cedar cabinet with ivory veneer, Ham House — Oak and cedar cabinet with ivory veneer, 1650-1660 / Ham House NT 1139080

Frequently these were conscious creations - personal statements of taste, patronage, lineage and social status. High fashion, design and superb craftsmanship were the order of the day.

But not all places are grand treasure houses. Many are small and not at all ostentatious, with deep personal associations, sometimes with an individual writer, politician, architect, poet or composer.

Every object tells a story

Our collections offer you the chance to uncover a broad spectrum of social, political, scientific and industrial histories. The lives and occupations of former inhabitants of our places are quietly evoked, illuminated by their surviving personal treasures.

Leconfield Chaucer, Petworth — The Leconfield Chaucer, illuminated manuscript in black and red script on vellum, 1420-1440 / Petworth NT 486026

Many historic libraries also survive remarkably intact, conjuring a special atmosphere of personal study and reflection. They range from those of wealthy collectors to those formed with more practical and provincial ambitions. Some were formed by literary giants, such as the writers Rudyard Kipling and George Bernard Shaw.

Art from far flung corners

Works of art and objects originate from many places and times, from ancient Egypt and Greece, China and India, and of course Britain and Europe.

Chinese wallpaper at Saltram — Chinese wallpaper, silk and pigment, c.1755 - 1770 / Saltram NT 872999

Archaeological sites in Britain tell stories that are thousands of years old, through surviving artefacts, structures and landscape features.

Something for everyone

Special collections, displays and ever-changing exhibitions can now be enjoyed at more places, inviting discovery of the full extent of our holdings.

Visitors enjoying Rembrandt selfie at Buckland Abbey — Visitors enjoying Rembrandt's Self-portrait wearing a feathered bonnet, 1635 / Buckland Abbey NT 810136

With close to a million objects – with internationally significant collections of paintings, furniture, ceramics, books, tapestries and more – there is no shortage of choice.

More to discover

Great masterpieces in our collections

From Bosch and Burne-Jones to Rembrandt, Stubbs and Whistler, these are exceptional paintings on show among the 200 historic houses we care for. Chosen by the National Trust's Curator of Pictures and Sculpture, from our collection of 13,000 oil paintings.

Tapestry depicting the Homecoming of Ulysses

Great tapestries in our collections

There are around 650 tapestries in the historic houses we care for. It's the largest collection of tapestries in Britain and one of the biggest in the world. Get closer to some of the most exceptional ones.

Striking a pose

An unusual ancient marble cat, a rare alabaster survival from the Reformation, the earliest known wood carving by Grinling Gibbons and a brass modernist interpretation by Barbara Hepworth… just a few of the greatest examples in our diverse and internationally significant collection of sculptures to explore.

Armoury corridor in the Manor at Waddesdon, a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire

House and collection highlights at our places

Get closer to the many objects and works of art in the houses and world-class collections we care for in our round-up of articles.

The Saloon at Saltram, Devon showing Joshua Reynolds portrait of Theresa Parker and other portraits

Paintings at our places

Among the thousands of paintings at our places are the works of great masters such as John Singer Sargent, JMW Turner and Rembrandt. Learn more about our diverse collection.

The British taste for Chinese wallpaper

Discover some of the most significant examples of Chinese wallpaper in our places.

A Meissen porcelain figure of the Lady of the Order of the Pug, Fenton House

Ceramic highlights from our collections

Our ceramics collection is vast. Discover some of our highlights including an early Ming dish that once formed part of a Mughal treasury, an exquisite Japanese porcelain bowl that is also a rare relic of the Stuart court in exile and a beautifully painted dish signed by a Renaissance master.

If clothes could talk

Why were Marie Antoinette’s garters designed by a dentist? Why was a 19th-century baronet determined to make a coat in a day? And why did dressmakers painstakingly sew jewel beetles’ wings onto a costume for Lady Macbeth?