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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.

Heritage conservation

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
Article
Article

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
Article
Article

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
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.

Project
Project

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
Article
Article

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
Article
Article

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.
Article
Article

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?

Archaeology

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

Sheep grazing around the standing stones at Avebury with autumn trees in the background in Wiltshire.
Article
Article

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.
Article
Article

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
Article
Article

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.

Thick frost on the ground with the windpump standing against a bright blue sky at sunrise at Horsey Windpump, Norfolk

For everyone, for ever

We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. Find out who we are and what we stand for.