Our cause

We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after hundreds of houses and close to a million objects, along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference.

Following our 125th anniversary in 2020 and the difficult year it turned out to be for all of us, we continue to carry on the ambition set out by our founders to care for nature, beauty and history. Here’s a reminder of what we’re here for and how the values of our founders are still at the heart of everything we do.

More than ever, nature has been our source of comfort. Trees towering above us, serene coastal paths, the simplicity of a rushing stream and panoramic drama in the skies – these can answer our need for quiet and inspiration.

With close to one million objects at over 200 historic places, we care for one of the world's largest art and heritage collections. Discover a wealth of treasures around every corner and experience the stories behind every object.

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.

We're working with partners to plant blossom trees in cities so more people can enjoy the beauty and comfort of nature near where they live.

Trees are the best natural armour we have against the climate crisis, so we're working hard to plant and establish 20 million of them by 2030. Discover how your support and working with partners is making all of this possible.

We can restore more than 100 historic artworks thanks to a generous gift from our US membership affiliate The Royal Oak Foundation. Find out how we'll be using the money to restore some of the rarest collection items in our care.

The Dig is a new film by Netflix, based on the novel of the same title by John Preston. But do you know the true story of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo? Read on to discover more.

From artistic masterpieces and vast tapestries to precious personal possessions, the range and breadth of the collections in our care is astonishing. Discover more in our recent book – 125 Treasures from the Collections of the National Trust.

Sit back and enjoy a personal tour of the fascinating interiors and collections of your favourite historic houses, or places you’ve always longed to visit. You might discover a new secret, or delve into areas of places normally closed off to the public. In a recent video we toured Red House, the former home of designer William Morris.

From squirrels to seals and ancient trees to plants, the places we care for are home to a huge amount of diverse nature and wildlife. Give today and protect these green spaces and animals for years to come.

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.

We care for over 780 miles of coastline, which is under ever-increasing threat due to climate change. Help protect the coastal landscapes you love, and the wildlife that call it home, so everyone can enjoy the coast.