A conservator is sitting down on a stool and is carrying out a light surface clean of Penelope and Euriclea by Angelica Kauffman at Stourhead, Wiltshire — Conservator carrying out a light surface clean of Penelope and Euriclea by Angelica Kauffman at Stourhead, Wiltshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

History and heritage

Your support helps us look after the past, from conserving historic buildings and works of art to unearthing archaeological treasures and supporting urban heritage projects. Find out more about our latest history and heritage projects.

Caring for places of historic intertest and natural beauty are central to what we do. Learn more about how we look after houses, collections and landscapes.

Conservators working in the Textile Conservation Studio

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Textile Conservation Studio

Discover more about our work at the Textile Conservation Studio in Norfolk, the National Trust’s only specialist in-house textile conservation facility.

A pair of hands holding the edges of an old open book

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Why wearing gloves can damage precious books

Wearing gloves is actually more likely to damage precious books than using clean hands. Read our experts’ guidelines for handling books safely.

The wooden frame of the replica Anglo-Saxon ship in a boatyard in Woodbridge, Suffolk

News

Joinery apprentices help build full-size replica of famous Sutton Hoo ship

Three of our joinery apprentices are honing their heritage craft skills in a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ project. They'll be working on building a full-size replica of the famous Anglo-Saxon ship unearthed at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.

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Conserving a rare Tintoretto

Discover how a rare painting by Venetian artist Jacopo Tintoretto is being researched, and conserved in a new project.

Two visitors sitting on a bench in the wetland area at Morden Hall Park, London

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How the National Trust is supporting urban heritage and parks

Learn about the initiatives to help and support urban areas in managing their heritage and green spaces.

Conservation work being carried out at the studio at Knole in Kent

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Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio

Find out about the work of our team at the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio in Kent and how we help care for a large number of objects from properties all over the country.

A view of the cherry laurel hedge maze at Glendurgan Garden with a thatched summerhouse in the centre. Four visitors are visible in the maze next to the summerhouse.

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Caring for our mazes

Exploring mazes can be a lot of fun, but have you ever wondered how much work it takes to establish and care for a maze in a country garden?

Find out about the work our archaeologists do to uncover the past. Expand on your knowledge of archaeology and understand more about historic landscapes.

Archaeological highlights from our Heritage Records

Explore archaeological highlights from the National Trust Heritage Records Online and discover more about the antiquities in our care from ancient burials to industrial landscapes.

Graffiti carved into the stonework at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex.

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Mysteries of historical graffiti

Historical graffiti offers a valuable window into the past. From the symbols carved into castle walls to the etchings of Isaac Newton, discover the meanings behind the graffiti at the places in our care.

Sunset view from atop a ridge of grassy hill curving around a flat area with a few trees on the lower ground

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What historic landscapes mean to us

We survey all our sites for any signs of archaeological significance, using aerial photography and expert analysis on the ground. Find out more about our work to explore remnants of the past, and why it's so important to us.