Special exhibitions

What is Home at Croome 

A new exhibition at Croome Court in Worcestershire, that once housed a school for boys, explores the question ‘what is home?’ through the voices of former pupils and children currently in care. Artist Kashif Nadim Chaudry’s installation is inspired by a period in Croome’s history from 1948–1978 and the pupils' real-life stories and personal objects. From 16 March.

Faces of Change: Nature's Champions at Dunham Massey 

As part of the Trust’s People’s Landscapes programme, Dunham Massey celebrates the people who could be called ‘nature’s champions'. From Sir David Attenborough and Linda McCartney to William Wordsworth and Octavia Hill, this partnership exhibition with the National Portrait Gallery, brings together over 30 works of art and live debates. From 23 March.

Humankind at Calke Abbey 

This exciting exhibition sheds new light on the imposing Baroque Calke Abbey in Derbyshire and its ‘isolated’ family that was said to hide from the world. It explores the themes of loneliness and human kindness. Follow the lives of six Calke inhabitants over two centuries, through immersive audio-visual experiences, displays and outdoor installations. From 2 March 2019.

Rossetti, pre the Pre-Raphaelites exhibition at Wightwick Manor 

His paintings of flame-haired women define the style that Rossetti is best known for. But this year at Wightwick Manor in the West Midlands, you'll discover the early work of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, before he created the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. From 4 March 2019.

The Tree of Life at Killerton 

This year's fashion exhibition at Killerton in Devon explores the human relationship with trees that's celebrated in textiles and fashion design through the uses of patterns, dyes and materials.

Thelwell: Laughter and Landscapes 

Mottisfont's new year exhibition takes a close look at Thelwell’s artistic life, from the popular cartoons which gave him international fame to his watercolours depicting the English countryside, particularly the landscape near Mottisfont, which he loved. Until 22 April 2019.

We are Bess at Hardwick 

Hardwick's We are Bess exhibition retells the story of Bess's life through 16 modern photographic portraits, interspersed with original Bess portrait paintings and compares the challenges of women in the 16th century and today. Celebrating women and power.

The Lost Words at Nymans 

This exhibition at Nymans in Sussex is a unique collaboration between renowned writer Robert Macfarlane, author of The Old Ways and Landmarks, and artist Jackie Morris, White Fox, Tell Me a Dragon. Visually exciting, it accompanies a programme of imaginative activities at Nymans. Until 2 June 2019.

Lord Peckover's Lost Library 

Lord Alexander Peckover's valuable book collection was sold after his death in 1919. One hundred years later, Peckover House tells the story of Lord Peckover's 'Lost Library' and his wider collecting interests.

A History of Winston Churchill in 50 Objects at Chartwell 

This new permanent exhibition at Chartwell focuses on the extraordinary life of Sir Winston Churchill, telling the stories of his many achievements and personal life. Get close to the fascinating collection of Churchill’s own possessions accumulated by him over the course of his lifetime; from personal mementos to gifts he received from friends, family and political contacts from around the world.

The Bell Tree: Serena Korda at Speke Hall, Liverpool 

Step into a magical environment this season. Deep in the heart of Speke's woodland is an ancient oak tree which has been transformed by award-winning artist Serena Korda into a sculptural sound installation with over 300 ceramic mushroom bells. Inspired by the folklore of the native bluebells that grow beneath its branches, The Bell Tree celebrates the dark side of the fairy kingdom.

Chippendale Revealed: online exhibition 

On 5 June we launched ‘Chippendale Revealed’, an online exhibition which includes specially commissioned photography showing previously unseen aspects of Thomas Chippendale’s furniture at Nostell Priory and showcasing the expertise of the National Trust's Furniture Research & Cataloguing team.

At Home with Art: Treasures from the Ford Collection at Basildon Park 

See nearly 70 objects from art historian Sir Brinsley Ford’s extraordinary collection, on loan from Augustine Ford. An avid collector from the age of eleven, Ford built on the art collection inherited from his father and grandfather. By the time of his death in 1999 he had amassed over 1500 works of art that included Old Master paintings, 20th-century British pictures, sculpture and decorative arts.

Croome's collection returns with a twist 

Historical objects from the 6th Earl of Coventry’s collection have returned to Croome. Very important pieces that have been absent for over 70 years - including Lord Coventry's exquisite Meissen, Worcester and Sèvres porcelain - are presented in unique ways. Two artists exhibit new installations, The Golden Box and Chair Play, celebrating Croome's collection treasures and furniture.

Coming up in 2019

For the Time Being at Mottisfont 

For the Time Being showcases ceramic compositions, prints and artist books from a one-year residency at Mottisfont by Hampshire-based artists Suna Imre and Eileen White. From 4 May 2019.