Heritage

Your visits help us to preserve and protect the heritage at our places and spaces - for ever, for everyone

Costumed interpreters dressing a tree in the Dining Room at Uppark, West Sussex

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Historic photos decorating a Christmas tree in the Mansion at Attingham

Experience a historic Christmas 

Experience the traditions of times past this Christmas. There's lots to discover, from Tudor feasts and Victorian Christmas trees to the hustle and bustle of a 1930s kitchen on Christmas Eve.

A Robin among holly branches

Five things you never knew about holly 

From pagan roots to glittering decorations, discover the myths, magic and history of holly, one of the UK's favourite festive plants.

Five festive facts
Aerial view of Westbury Court Garden, Gloucestershire

Duck islands return to Westbury Court after 300 years 

For the last fifty years, gardeners at Westbury Court have been reviving the UK's last remaining Dutch-style water garden from dereliction. The latest project sees the return of duck islands to the canal, offering a safe haven for nesting waterfowl.

Restoring history
Oil painting on canvas, Victoria (Vita) Mary Sackville-West, Lady Nicolson (1892-1962) by Philip Alexius de László de Lombos

Great women gardeners 

From wealthy socialites to horticultural pioneers, journey through the gardens of time and discover seven of history's most inspirational women gardeners.

A serpentine commode made by Thomas Chippendale for Nostell Priory in 1770 / NT 959737

Know your Chippendale 

From chairs to 'metamorphic' stairs and cabinets to dressing tables, get closer to Chippendale's acclaimed furniture and designs in this top ten of his finest works. These highlights introduce the exciting new online exhibition 'Chippendale Revealed' on our Collections website.

Online exhibition highlights
Kirsty Wark stands in front of a suffragette statue

Our women's suffrage podcast series presented by Kirsty Wark 

In this five-part series we lift the lid on our archives to uncover the seldom-told stories of maids, mill-workers, politicians and even royalty, who fought and campaigned to help shape the world we live in today.

Listen to episode one
Protecting the nation's heritage
Conservators stitching tapestry

The Textile Conservation Studio 

The Textile Conservation Studio, based in Norfolk is a specialist conservation treatment facility. The National Specialist Textile Conservation Adviser is based at the Studio, working with Maria Jordan our Studio Manager and a team of twelve professionally trained and accredited conservators.

Member of staff checking the records at the Plant Conservation Centre

Plant Conservation Centre 

Hidden in Devon is a secret garden, dedicated to protecting and cultivating the rare and historically significant plants in our care.

The interior of the new Conservation Studio at Knole

The Knole Conservation Studio 

Peek into the store of our conservation studio to spot priceless treasures waiting to be conserved. From Wednesday to Saturday, join our conservators in the studio itself and get hands on at the interactive displays. Find out more and plan your visit…

Love among the Ruins by Burne Jones

Art & collections 

Explore great art and collections at more than 200 historic places that we look after.

Artist impression of what Seaton Delavall Hall will look like when recreated

Bring Stories to Life appeal 

Three very special places need your support in 2018. Will you help with donations to transform and revitalise Sutton Hoo, Seaton Delaval Hall and Stowe Gardens? With your support we can bring their stories to life and help visitors experience their true spirit and heritage.

Donate to our recent 2018 appeal

Read about our cause

While we're passionate about open spaces and historic places, we're working hard in other areas too. With your help, we're caring for the environment, food and farming, green energy and transport, and heritage.

What we care about

We couldn't do it without you

Thanks to your membership, we're able to protect special places for ever, for everyone

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