Heritage

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

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Protecting the nation's heritage
Victorian carriage donated to the Arlington Carriage Museum

Victorian carriage donated to Arlington Court 

A descendant of a Victorian coachman has recently given the carriage his great-grandfather once drove to the Arlington Court Carriage Museum in Devon. It now joins the collection of over 40 historic carriages at the museum.

Two art handlers bring the painting inside

Special 18th-century portrait returns home to Wimpole 

An anonymous donor has enabled a special 18th-century portrait, by renowned society artist Thomas Hudson of Lady Elizabeth Yorke, to return home to Wimpole in Cambridgeshire after it was nearly sold at auction.

A still of someone conserving a chair that's over 400 years old Play Video
Video

Discover how we care for historical treasures


At the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole in Kent, National Trust conservation specialists are hard at work preserving historical objects – many of which are hundreds of years old. Watch how conservators use different techniques and equipment to restore precious items such as a Sgabello chair that's over 400 years old, and a painting featured in our 100 Paintings book being returned to its former glory.

5 conservators in the Conservation Studio at Knole

The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio 

Our conservators specialise in the conservation treatment of the decorative arts. Their specialist knowledge and skills means we can preserve objects for future generations to enjoy.

Conservators stitching tapestry

The Textile Conservation Studio 

The Textile Conservation Studio, based in Norfolk is a specialist conservation treatment facility. The Senior National Conservator, Textiles and Studio Lead, Maria Jordan works with a team of nine 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.

Historical discoveries

Excavations at Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire

Archaeology at our places 

We look after many rich and diverse archaeological sites, from the awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon burial ground at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk to Levant Mine and beam engine, part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Archaeology helps us to learn more about them and protect them for the future.

Family in front of Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire

Redefining the past at Fountains Abbey 

Recent archaeological discoveries at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire have revealed that at its height, this World Heritage Site was not just the place of prayer and contemplation previously imagined. Cutting-edge survey techniques have uncovered a hidden industrial complex filling the valley, evidence of a tannery operation of such surprisingly large proportions that it has reshaped thinking of this monastic community.

Conservation in action during the winter clean

Protect the buildings and collections in our care 

We look after over 300 historic buildings and nearly one million works of art, which need constant care to maintain them. You can help protect these important buildings and collections by donating today.

Help our buildings and collections
The Spanish Room ceiling at Kingston Lacy

Explore our art and collections 

Be inspired by the world-renowned art and collections, exhibitions and more at the many historic places that we look after.

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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