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

Stable yard at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
The Beech Avenue near Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Exploring LGBTQ history at National Trust places 

We're marking 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality by exploring the LGBTQ heritage at many of our places.

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Book, notes, inkwell and jug in Isaac Newton's room

Eight of our 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, find out how some of the ideas that changed the world were thought up at our places.

Landmarks in history
Stained glass windows at The Vyne's chapel with sunlight shining through Play Video
Video

Exploring a pre-reformation Tudor powerhouse

At the Vyne in Hampshire you can now experience the unique sound of a Tudor Lady Mass. This audio experience has been created for The Vyne’s beautiful pre-Reformation chapel, in which Henry VIII might have heard the Mass when he visited in October 1535

Find out how we re-created a Tudor Mass

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 a royal story 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 house and upper pond at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

How to create a Capability Brown landscape 

The landscapes designed by 'Capability' Brown are easy to mistake as works of nature. Discover how much effort actually went in to bringing these ground-breaking designs to life.

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Commemorating the First World War

The north west corner of Castle Drogo, Devon

Country house life during the First World War 

Many country houses were transformed during the First World War to help the war effort. We explore their stories and others told in The Country House at War by Simon Greaves.

First Mounting of the Welsh Guards. Soldiers stand in formation.

Powis Castle remembers its WWI hero 

2016 marked the centenary of the battle of the Somme. In commemoration, during 2016 and 2017, we’ll be exploring life in the trenches and telling the story of Percy Clive, 4th Earl of Powis’ eldest son, and heir to the vast family estates.

Front view of Sandham Memorial Chapel, Hampshire

The 'Holy Box' at Sandham Memorial Chapel  

It may not look extraordinary on the outside, but step inside Sandham Memorial Chapel and you'll find a one-of-a-kind artwork commemorating those that lost their lives in the First World War. Find out more about the paintings and how the project developed.

The sixteenth-century Gate Tower on the West Front at Coughton Court, Warwickshire

Connections to the Gunpowder Plot 

Links to the 1605 Gunpowder Plot can be found at historic houses and former hunting forests we look after including Lyveden New Bield, home to infamous plotter Francis Tresham.

Plotting to blow up Parliament

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.

A path winding through the garden at Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Gardens through the ages 

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

Lady Frances portrait at Mount Stewart

Our collections 

Explore history at our places and browse through the art and collections that we care for.

Step back in time

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