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Special exhibitions

A wide landscape photograph of a white room with information on the walls and a brown cabinet with cereamic mushrooms in the middle.
The Discovery Room at Dinefwr, Wales | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

We host exhibitions at some of the most iconic buildings and outdoor spaces in our care. From showcasing contemporary artwork and sharing our collections, to exploring our histories and celebrating connections with people, discover exhibitions near you.

Exhibitions in London and the South East

A Persian Paradise: Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

In the 1920s, the world’s interest in Persia’s rich oil assets led to a renewed fascination with Persian art and culture. Explore this new immersive exhibition to learn about the artistic and historical significance of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson's trips to Persia in the 1920s.

Open from 14 October 2023 until 24 March 2024

Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf's Cog Dishes Reunited
Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf's Persian oval 'cog-toothed' ceramic dishes, Sissinghurst, Kent | © National Trust Images/James Beck

Exhibitions in the North

Fields, folds and farming life: Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire

This exhibition explores what it's like to live, grow up and work on a rural farm. It reveals the hard work and determination of the farming community; as they navigate the ever-changing agricultural world to achieve a better farming future for people, the environment, and the local wildlife.

From 9 September 2023 until 17 March 2024

Inspired by Italy: Beningbrough, North Yorkshire

Inspired by Italy brings together the work of Kate Somervell, a black and white photographer based in Yorkshire, and Giovanni Battista Piranesi, an eighteenth-century Italian artist. The exhibition highlights the romance and reality of Italy and the Italian influence on one of Yorkshire’s great houses.

Open from 16 September 2023 until 17 March 2024

Embodied Cacophony: Lindisfarne Castle,Northumberland

Contemporary artist and composer Liz Gre explores the spirit of Lindisfarne Castle through this sound and sculptural installation. The sculpture is inspired by the voices of Holy Island and made from weathered raw materials, such as salt, glass, sand and wind.

Coming soon in 2024

Omnia Vanitas painting at Kingston Lacy, Dorset
The Omnia Vanitas painting has been the subject of extensive analysis | © National Trust Images/Chris Titmus

Exhibitions in the South West

2024 exhibitions: Hidcote, Gloucestershire

Over this year, Hidcote will display a variety of exhibitions, showcasing work by a range of local and international artists. Discover an exhibtion that looks back through Hidcote's archives to highlight the people who have looked after it in the past. You can also an exhibtion by botantical and embroidery artist Olga Prinku.

Open throughout 2024

Light Struck: Lacock, Wiltshire

Photographer and artist Ellen Carey is well known for their work with Polaroid and the 20x24 Studio in New York. Their exhibition of photograms and Polaroids brings a celebration of light, colour and playfulness to the Fox Talbot Museum. They also created a unique piece designed for Lacock which is directly inspired by Talbot's own photogram, 'A Cascade of Spruce Needles'.

Open until 31 March 2024

Heath Robinson at War: Mottisfont, Hampshire

This new exhibition at Mottisfont shows a wide selection of Heath Robinson's humorous drawings from both World Wars. They demonstrate his ability to counter the horrors of war with gentle satire and absurdity. You'll also hear transcripts of letters from the troops and the public thanking him for his morale-raising efforts.

From 20 January until 14 April 2024

The world of William Blathwayt: Dyrham Park, Bath

Featuring short videos and interactive displays of collection items, the exhibition sets the scene in the 1690s when leading civil servant William Blathwayt set about rebuilding Dyrham Park. It introduces the transforming local, national and global climate of the period and links historic events and contemporary figures that shaped Blathwayt's world and influenced the place he called home.

Exhibition ongoing

Omnia Vanitas: Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Omnia Vanitas, a 16th-century oil painting, has been moved back to the Saloon at Kingston Lacy for permanent display following years of extensive conservation and technical analysis. It was chosen for treatment following a suggestion that it could be the work of Titian, regarded as the greatest painter of 16th-century Venice. The conservation work was funded by the McGarrick Legacy Fund.

Exhibition ongoing

Exhibitions in Wales

Exhibitions at Dinefwr, Wales

Explore the refreshed display in the Discovery Room, created by artist Julia Griffiths Jones and designer Heidi Baker, which unpacks the history and range of wildlife and biodiversity at Dinefwr. You can also discover some rare oil paintings in the Landscape Room, which speak of the wealth, status and aspirations of the estate and the family who owned it. There's also the Archaeology of Home exhibition and the Unlocked: 125 Objects from Dinefwr to explore.

Exhibition ongoing

Visitors walking among daffodils at Dora's Field, Ambleside, Cumbria

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

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Children looking through binoculars outside

What's on 

We've got plenty of events and activities on at the places in our care. From exhibitions and guided walks to outdoor theatre events, discover what's on near you.

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.

Mark Wallinger and James Lowe, Writ in Water, Runnymede, Surrey
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Trust New Art exhibitions and events 

Find out about the Trust New Art exhibitions and events that are happening at places near you, and learn how to join in with future projects.

Sevres Wine Cooler, showing nymphs worshipping the bust of Pan, from a service made for Louis XVI, dated 1792, in the Porcelain Lobby at Upton House, Warwickshire

Art and collections 

The art and heritage collections we care for rival the world’s greatest museums. Learn more about the collection of paintings, decorative art, costume, books, household and other objects at historic places.

Man and woman looking at large historic globe in gallery lined with Greco-Roman statues
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Celebrating 125 treasures in our collections 

Discover the stories behind some of the greatest artworks and artefacts looked after by the National Trust, as told in a dedicated book, 125 Treasures from the Collections of the National Trust.