Houses & buildings
We look after over 300 historic buildings, from the grand and imposing to the small and quirky. Explore our places from afar and discover some of the stories behind our houses and the inhabitants who called them home.
More of our greatest houses for armchair viewing
Basildon Park, Berkshire
During the First World War Basildon Park was used as a convalescent home for officers and soldiers of the Berkshire regiments. The property gave local soldiers a place to recuperate and learn new skills.
Canons Ashby
In the 16th century, Cumbrian John Dryden was given the estate by his father-in-law. Using masonry from the fallen priory buildings, he first built a Tower House - something rarely found in this part of the country.
Monks House, Sussex
Monk's House is filled with the Woolfs impressive art collection and personal items. The unique character of the house is saturated with the spirit of not only the Woolfs but of the many artists, writers and thinkers who visited.
Mottisfont, Hampshire
Eight centuries of history are buried within Mottisfont's walls. An Augustinian priory was founded first in 1201, laying the foundations for the 18th-century structure that’s now visible.
Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
Seaton Delaval Hall has finished restoration of its Vanbrugh designed cantilevered staircases and stone vaulted basement with beer and wine cellars.
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
Designed by architect Philip Webb, the house draws inspiration from landscapes and historic buildings, while also preserving and incorporating some of the medieval farm buildings on the original site into the design.
The Vyne, Hampshire
The Vyne in Hampshire has been home to lords and ladies for five centuries. Over the years it's been visited by Tudor kings, been lived in by a Speaker for the House of Commons and sheltered in by Second World War evacuees.
Dumbing down our cultural heritage? Quite the opposite
John Orna-Ornstein, our Director of Culture and Engagement, has written a response to the recent stories in the press about our vision for historic buildings. In his blog he discusses what we're doing to care for these important places and collections and our future plans.
Interior design through the ages
Tudor interior design - Building & houses
The Tudor period was an age of prosperity, often resulting in lavishly built and decorated houses. We look after some beautiful examples, including Montacute House, Somerset, and Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire.
Georgian interior design
You can see the elegant styles that were in fashion during the Georgian period at places including Croft Castle in Herefordshire and Basildon Park, Berkshire. Here's our short guide.
Victorian interior design - Buildings & houses
Visit our places like Penrhyn Castle, Wales and Tyntesfield, Somerset, to see examples of Victorian interior design. Here's a short guide to the eclectic styles of the era.
1920s house style and design in the UK
Coleton Fishacre, Devon, and The Homewood, Surrey, both boast striking Modernist décor. Learn more about this 20th-century design movement and where to see it.
Addressing our stories of colonialism and historic slavery
The National Trust cares for places and collections on behalf of the nation, and many have direct and indirect links to colonialism and historic slavery. We're addressing these histories and their cultural significance and have published our report into these links.