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Puffins on the Farne Islands, Northumberland

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Fire at Zennor Head, Cornwall in July 2022

Dry July: how we're adapting to a changing climate 

After the recent heatwave and driest July on record, we've seen impacts at the landscapes and gardens in our care. These exceptional conditions are a reminder of how important it is to cut emissions and adapt. To plan for change, we’re restoring landscapes to ensure they’re richer in wildlife. We’re also working to make gardens and buildings more resilient to rising temperatures.

How we’re tackling climate change
Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, 1814, by Sir Thomas Lawrence NT 1542307

Special exhibition honouring Viscount Castlereagh opening at Mount Stewart 

To mark 200 years since the death of Viscount Castlereagh (1769-1822), visitors to Mount Stewart, County Down, Northern Ireland, will be able to discover more about his life and legacy through a new exhibition opening on 12 August. Castlereagh, a member of the Stewart family, was a complex man, who lived in extraordinary times. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to learn more about his role as a statesman, where his influence was far-reaching and long-lasting.

A split image of the real Corfe Castle compared to the virtual build in Minecraft

Minecraft introduces virtual National Trust ruins 

We're partnering with Minecraft to introduce ancient ruins for gamers to build and explore in the game. The Wild Update will be launched with a foundation ruin for Corfe Castle in Dorset, letting players build on top of the current remains of the castle to re-imagine what it would have been like as a working castle over 1,000 years ago.

Learn more about Ruins Reimagined
Castlefield viaduct

Manchester’s new sky park set to open for visitors 

Towering over the heart of historic Manchester, the disused Victorian-era Castlefield Viaduct is an important hallmark of the city’s industrial past. Now it’s being brought back to life as a temporary urban sky park, which opens to visitors for 12 months from 30 July 2022. We’ll also be gathering thoughts from visitors and the local community to help shape the long-term future of the viaduct.

Concept designs to illustrate the new architectural principles for Clandon Park in Surrey

New plans for Clandon Park are announced 

We’re proud to share plans for Clandon Park that give the house an exciting new future. Clandon is a great house laid bare, offering a unique ‘X-ray’ view of how a country house is made. We’re going to carefully conserve the house in its fire-damaged state, with new roof access, illuminating roof lights and suspended walkways through the house.

Read about the plans for Clandon
A puffin on the Farne Islands in Northumberland

Farne Islands to close due to Avian Influenza 

Due to the potentially devastating impact of Avian Influenza (bird flu) on the seabird colonies on the Farne Islands, the islands will be closed to visitors from Sunday 3 July. By closing we will reduce the risk of disturbance to the birds and hopefully slow down the spread of the disease.

Close up of a stone-mason chiselling a decorative piece of stone

£6.2 million grant from Hamish Ogston Foundation funds heritage skills apprenticeships 

Find out more about our new heritage skills apprenticeship, which offers students the chance to gain qualifications in stonemasonry or carpentry and joinery.

Find out more
Wetland landscapes attract a variety of wildlife

'Super' National Nature Reserve created in Somerset  

We're celebrating the creation of the Somerset Wetlands, which will protect rare wildlife, including skylark, bittern and avocets. The declaration of the nature reserve, which brings together six reserves on the Somerset Levels and Moors, kicks off Natural England's Festival of National Nature Reserves. We'll care for the site in collaboration with Natural England, Environment Agency, RSPB, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Painting is rehung on a wall at Anglesey Abbey by National Trust staff

Constable revealed at Anglesey Abbey 

The largest known painting by artist John Constable has been brought back to its full glory by our conservators, revealing a long-vanished Thames skyline view. The painting, the Embarkation of George IV from Whitehall: the Opening of Waterloo Bridge, 1817, records the scene on the second anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. It has now returned to display at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire as part of a celebration of Constable works in its collection.

See the conservation in action
Senior Propagator Ellie Pay inserts rhododendron cuttings into a hydropod propagation unit.

Plant Conservation Centre turns 40 

This year we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Plant Conservation Centre, which plays a vital role in conserving rare and historically important plants for the gardens and parklands in our care. The centre, which began life in 1982, is even more important as plant collections age and as we experience the impacts of climate change.

A young Paul McCartney and John Lennon sit with their guitars next to the fireplace in the front room of 20 Forthlin Road. They are in the process of writing and practicing 'I Saw her Standing There'.

Bringing live music back to the birthplace of the Beatles 

20 Forthlin Road in Liverpool is where four friends became the Beatles, and we've been searching for new artists to bring music back to this historic place. Find out who the winning music acts are and how you can tune in for this once in a lifetime event.

Discover the winners of The Forthlin Sessions
Tapestries on three walls in The Vyne's Tapestry Room with fireplace

Rare surviving tapestries return to The Vyne 

Full of colourful scenes and fantastical animals, these highly decorative Soho tapestries captured how Europeans imagined the 'Far East' in the early 18th century. They were removed eight years ago for safekeeping when a succession of storms caused damage to the former Tudor powerhouse. On inspection their fragile state was revealed, from degrading yarns to warped backings that were putting strain on the fabric. After several years of conservation the tapestries are back on display at The Vyne in Hampshire.

Nightjar

Five-year project to restore and improve Brownsea's habitat begins 

Nestled in Poole Harbour, Dorset, Brownsea Island is embarking on the largest conservation project in the island’s history, to create a better space and the right conditions for nature to thrive, providing a more sustainable future for the conservation of species dependent on its varied habitat. Funded by the Rural Payments Agency under the government’s Countryside Stewardship scheme, the project aims to improve, expand and link up existing wildlife-rich areas of Brownsea.

Discover more about the project
A native white-clawed crayfish at Wallington, Northumberland

Refuge created for endangered crayfish 

The white-clawed crayfish, one of the UK's most endangered species, has been given a fresh chance of survival thanks to a refuge created at the Wallington Estate in Northumberland. We'll be taking up to 100 of the crustaceans from the River Wansbeck to an old cattle drinking hole, which has been made into an isolated and self-contained area known as an 'Ark' site.

Caring for crayfish at Wallington

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