People in history

Discover some of the social history behind our places and uncover fascinating facts about the people who have lived in them

John Kipling with a friend and her dog at Bateman's
Details of three portraits

Addressing our stories of colonialism and historic slavery 

The legacies of colonialism and historic slavery are reflected in the nation’s places, buildings and collections, including those looked after by the National Trust. We're committed to uncovering, exploring and sharing these histories. Learn more about these connections and download our recently published report into colonialism and historic slavery in full.

Find out what's in the report
Kirsty Wark stands in front of a suffragette statue

Our women's suffrage podcast series presented by Kirsty Wark 

In this five-part series we lifted the lid on our archives to uncover the seldom-told stories of maids, mill-workers, politicians and even royalty, who fought and campaigned to help shape the world we live in today.

Listen now
Three members of the Agar-Robartes family cycling at Lanhydrock

Places where children played 

Our places have been havens for princesses and prime ministers' children. The childhood memories they created have inspired world-famous authors as well as offering safety to children during the war. Find out more about some of our younger residents' favourite places.

Discover the treasured places of yesterday's children

Celebrated garden lovers

The rose garden and pond at Bateman’s, East Sussex

Rudyard Kipling's garden 

Rudyard Kipling's garden at Bateman's, his 17th-century Jacobean home, in the landscape of the Sussex Weald, was the inspiration for Puck of Pook's Hill.

Herbaceous borders along the path leading to Hill Top, Sawrey, Cumbria

Beatrix Potter's garden 

Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top with the royalties from the first of her little books, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. 100 years later, Head Gardener Pete Tasker is determined to return the tiny garden to the one Beatrix created.

Edith Lady Londonderry in the gardens at Mount Stewart

Great women gardeners 

From wealthy socialites to horticultural pioneers, journey through the gardens of time and discover seven of history's most inspirational women gardeners.

Planting the seeds of innovation

Saving our nation's heritage for everyone, for ever

Octavia Hill (after John Singer Sargent) by Reginald Grenville Eves, RA

Who was Octavia Hill? 

One of the founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill helped us acquire some of our first places for the nation. Discover which places she helped to save.

Canon Rawnsley (centre) with Beatrix Potter and her family in 1887

Who was Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley? 

One of the founders of the National Trust, Hardwicke Rawnsley helped us acquire some of our first places for the nation. Discover which places he helped to save.

Ferguson's Gang members Shot Biddy, Kate O’Brien and Bill Stickers enjoying a picnic, 1935

Who were Ferguson's Gang? 

Ferguson’s Gang was formed in 1927 with five core members, all of whom were women. Their aim was to raise awareness of the need to protect rural areas and they supported the organisation they considered to be the most dedicated to preserving England’s heritage: the National Trust.

Heritage

Learn more about how we look after for the special places in our care and get a glimpse of some of the conservation projects we're working on at the moment.

Find out more on heritage