Introducing our remarkable collections

We look after one of the world's largest and most significant holdings of fine art and heritage objects, including over 400,000 book titles – a treasure chest of history. With over 200 collections, 144 of which are accredited museums, 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, our museums

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

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

We look after one in 12 of all the accredited museums in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We also look after several discrete museum collections, including, but not limited to the Carriage Museum at Arlington Court, Devon, the National Trust Museum of Childhood at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire and the Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock, Wiltshire.

Travelling chariot, early 1800s, part of the National Trust's Carriage Museum collection at Arlington Court, Devon
Travelling Chariot
Travelling chariot, early 1800s, part of the National Trust's Carriage Museum collection at Arlington Court, Devon

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.

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.

Virginia Woolf's glasses in her writing room at Monk's House, East Sussex
Virginia Woolf glasses in her writing room at Monk's House, East Sussex
Virginia Woolf's glasses in her writing room at Monk's House, East Sussex

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.

A global story

Works of art and objects originate from many times and places, across the globe.

Zuni earthenware polychrome painted water-jar (‘Olla’), made by the A’shiwi (Zuni) Tribe, Zuni Pueblo, Western New Mexico, c.1870–80.
Zuni earthenware water jar
Zuni earthenware polychrome painted water-jar (‘Olla’), made by the A’shiwi (Zuni) Tribe, Zuni Pueblo, Western New Mexico, c.1870–80.

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's Self-portrait wearing a feathered bonnet, 1635 / Buckland Abbey NT 810136
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
Elizabeth I

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.

Etruscan binding of 'Castle of Otranto'

Great books in our collections 

Discover some of the great treasures of our libraries, from elaborately decorated manuscripts and rare early editions to books with unique, personal connections to the places we care for.

View of the back of a Mantua Court Dress

Fashion gems in our collections 

We look after more than 27,000 pieces of dress, most belonging to the people who lived and worked in our historic houses. From the luxurious to the everyday, this collection spans over 500 years of changing taste and fashion.

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.

two brass sculptures

Our greatest sculptures 

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.

Chinese bird-and-flower wallpaper

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.

Petworth painting conservation

Curator's blog 

There are over 100 curatorial and conservation experts working for the National Trust, caring for our houses, collections, gardens and landscapes. Learn more about their experiences first-hand in our Curator's blog.

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.