Plans to create a new urban sky park for Manchester are a step closer to reality with work about to get underway on Castlefield viaduct. Due to open in July, we're aiming to turn the imposing 330 metre steel viaduct into a temporary park in the sky and create a meeting place to benefit people and nature that celebrates the industrial heritage of Castlefield. The pilot phase of this project will see a green space created to stretch half way across the elevation of the viaduct.
Full of colourful scenes and fantastical animals, these highly decorative Soho tapestries captured how Europeans imagined the 'Far East' in the early 18th century. After their removal eight years ago for safekeeping, the tapestries' fragile state was revealed, from degrading yarns to warped backings that were putting strain on the fabric. After several years of conservation the delicate tapestries are back on display at The Vyne in Hampshire.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Last year our staff identified and logged 56,742 insects at the places we care for. The five most common insect pests found in 2021 remain the same as those recorded in 2020 but the webbing clothes moth has knocked silverfish out of the number-one spot. Learn more about these small but destructive creatures and discover how we reduce the damage they cause to houses and collections.
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.
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 cleanNational Trust images
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.
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.