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A visitor and a room guide looking at an object inside an elaborate glass case in the Clive museum at Powis Castle
Exploring the Clive Museum at Powis Castle | © National Trust Images/Megan Tayl

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. 

History

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

A cardboard Easter egg in the collection at Lanhydrock, covered in paper depicting lots of rabbits at a wedding
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The story of Easter in our collections 

Take a closer look at some of the Easter objects in our collections. From a religious holy day to a time for family traditions, discover the origins of Easter and the symbolic egg.

Professor Mary Beard stood behind a podium giving a talk
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Octavia Hill Lecture 

The annual Octavia Hill Lecture is an opportunity for respected voices and commentators to lead us in reflecting on nature, beauty and history. Watch the 2024 lecture with guest speaker Professor Mary Beard. After the lecture, Professor Beard was in conversation with Gus Casely-Hayford.

Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, also known as Bess of Hardwick' by Rowland Lockey. Hanging in the Long Gallery at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
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Remarkable women in history 

This Women's History Month, learn about remarkable women in history linked to the places in our care, from the first black woman to publish her story of slavery to the circus performer who became a countess.

A oil painting on canvas, a three-quarter-length portrait, of Sir Isaac Newton in older age painted by Sir James Thornhill from 1712, held at Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire.
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History of Newton at Woolsthorpe Manor 

Read about the history of Woolsthorpe Manor and the impact it had on its most famous resident, Isaac Newton.

Nature

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.

White and pink blossom on a tree in spring
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How to spot different types of blossom 

Blossom is popping up all over the place, but do you know your damson from your blackthorn? Find out how to spot different types of blossom in your local area with our blossom-spotting guide.

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

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

Red squirrel sitting on a mossy rock eating a nut
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Red squirrel spotting tips 

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

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.

Gardening tips

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

Pruning roses on the exterior of Newton House at Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire, Wales
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Gardening tips for spring 

Make the most of your garden or growing space this spring with tips and advice from our gardeners. Find out about pruning shrubs, preparing flower borders, planting early vegetables and choosing the best blossom trees.

A close-up of snowdrops at Ickworth in Suffolk
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Top tips for growing snowdrops in your own garden 

Discover some top tips for growing common snowdrops in your outdoor space. Find out when, where and how to plant your snowdrops to end up with your own carpet of white flowers every spring.

Two blue tits perched on a green bird feeder with brick wall in the background
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How to build a wildlife-friendly garden 

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

Green cuttings sprouting in natural plastic-free pots and peat-free compost
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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. Hear from our team of gardening experts and discover top tips for peat-free gardening in your green space.

Food

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

Hot cross bun bread and butter pudding

Recipes 

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

Stack of chocolate cookies and a bowl of mini chocolate eggs in the background
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Easter cookies 

Create the perfect cookie that's chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Just make sure to make plenty, as everyone will want an extra one (or two).

An ornate teapot set on a low table with a plate of scones behind
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The history of tea 

Tea first arrived in Britain in the mid-17th century, when it was so expensive that only the incredibly wealthy could afford it. Find out the connections that the places in our care have to this simple brew.

Gardener picking fennel from the vegetable garden at Speke Hall, Liverpool
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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.

Crafts

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

Finished dyed Easter eggs
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How to make naturally dyed Easter eggs 

Create some vibrant Easter eggs from natural ingredients by following this step-by-step guide and video tutorial. Use them in your Easter egg hunt or as handmade Easter decorations.

Multiple origami blossom flowers
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How to make an origami blossom 

Try our step-by-step origami tutorial and fill the world with blossom. 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.

Making bug houses in the garden at Washington Old Hall, Tyne & Wear
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Build your own World Heritage Site 

Challenge yourself to build a World Heritage Site or historic place with whatever you have at home and discover the history and legends of your favourite landmark.

Virtual visit

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

A beaver kit sits on the edge of a pond eating a leafy tree branch
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National Trust Podcast: series seven 

Listen to series seven of the National Trust Podcast. From the communities celebrating blossom to the Anglo-Saxon ship buried at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, discover stories filled with history and nature.

Walkers on the South West coast path to Old Harry, Studland Bay, Dorset
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Sounds of our shores 

We worked with the British Library and the National Trust for Scotland to create the UK’s first ever coastal sound map. Find out about the project and top tips for making your own recording of the sounds of our shores.

Painting of Saint Agatha, by Carlo Dolci, circa 1665-70 at Osterley Park, London
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Online exhibitions 

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

Film and TV

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

TV presenter Matt Baker during the filming of Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker
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Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker 

We've been searching for a tenant farmer to manage a vacant farm in Northumberland. You can follow along by tuning in to Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker – a new TV show coming soon to Channel 4. The series features seven shortlisted applicants applying for a 10-year tenancy on the Wallington estate.

A photo showing the TARDIS prop used for filming Doctor Who on set at Rhosili. The TARDIS is perched on top of the cliff, overlooking Rhosili Bay beneath it in the background.
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Doctor Who filming locations 

Doctor Who is celebrating 60 years of time-travelling adventures. Discover which places in our care have been featured in alien worlds and distant times from the Bronze Age to the year five billion.

A large camera on the shoulder of a person during the filming of Wolf Hall at Montacute House in Somerset
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Top film locations at the National Trust 

Many of the places in our care have been locations for films and TV dramas. Hear from two of our filming and location managers as they discuss the most popular filming locations and share their best stories from behind the scenes.

Two visitors exploring the garden in spring at Quarry Bank, Cheshire

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