Places in history

If our places could talk they'd have some stories to tell. Discover their rich histories and watch them spring to life before your eyes

Writ in Water, a major architectural artwork by Mark Wallinger in collaboration with Studio Octopi, at Runnymede, Surrey
An archive image of the people marching in the 1932 Kinder Scout trespass overlaid onto a modern day image of the landscape

People’s Landscapes: Explore the places that have shaped the nation 

In 2019 we’re marking the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre, a turning point in our democracy, with a year-long programme that explores the role our places have played in social change. Through events, exhibitions and podcasts, you’ll be able to explore the untold histories that hide behind our landscapes.

Places that shaped the nation
Help protect history Donate today
Caryl Parry Jones and the National Trust's podcast team at Penrhyn Castle

People's Landscapes podcast series presented by John Sergeant 

Our four-part podcast series, presented by radio journalist and broadcaster John Sergeant, tells the stories of people connected to four historic landscapes in our care.

Listen to the series
Processing Suffragettes c.1908

Challenging Histories Public Programme 2017-19 

Challenging Histories was a pilot programme that explored some of the more hidden aspects of our places. Each year we focused on a different theme that reflected national anniversaries and public debates. Through exhibitions, events and story-telling, we explored how these overlooked histories have shaped how we live now.

Significant places

Visitors on the drive to the west front at Montacute House, Somerset

Scandalous stories from our places 

The places we look after have rich histories, and some of them are hiding stories sordid enough to raise a blush. Intrigued? Read on…

An archive black and white photograph of Mrs Greville standing with a dog in her arms

Places with royal stories to tell 

Many of the places we look after have connections to kings, queens and other members of royalty. Here's our pick of the best. Why not visit to uncover the full story?

Children playing outside at Speke Hall, Garden and Estate, Merseyside

Tudor connections at our places 

The places we look after have many links to the Tudor period. They’ve received royal visitors, hidden Catholic priests and witnessed pivotal events.

The Marconi Centre at Poldhu, Lizard, Cornwall

Eight places that helped change the world 

From the house where Sir Isaac Newton first discovered gravity to the childhood homes of the Beatles and the site of the first radio broadcast, discover the places that inspired some revolutionary ideas.

See where history was made

Design through the ages

The Winter Parlour at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire

Interior design through the ages 

As fashions change over the eras, so do our homes. Discover centuries of design innovation through the places we care for.

Orchard House at Cragside

Gardens through the ages 

Learn about medieval, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian and 20th-century gardens, and where to see our finest examples.

The cast of Downton Abbey pose in front of the houses at Lacock

For film and TV lovers 

Find out which of our historic mansions and magnificent landscapes can be seen on-screen. You can look out for them in popular TV dramas such as Game of Thrones, and in brand new films.

Find out more about what has been filmed where
Visitors looking at open drawer of collections cabinet

Collections online 

Our collections are an important part of our heritage. From artistic treasures to the quirky and bizarre, you can explore more than one million objects on our collections site.

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