Information on The National Trust

The National Trust

The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three Victorian philanthropists - Miss Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. Concerned about the impact of uncontrolled development and industrialisation, they set up the Trust to act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside and buildings.

More than a century later, we now care for over 248,000 hectares (612,000 acres) of beautiful countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus almost 600 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings and gardens of outstanding interest and importance. Most of these properties are held in perpetuity and so their future protection is secure. The vast majority are open to visitors and we are constantly looking at ways in which we can improve public access and on-site facilities.

We are a registered charity and completely independent of Government, therefore relying heavily on the generosity of our subscribing members (now numbering over 3 million) and other supporters. Find out more facts and figures about the National Trust.

Conserving our countryside and heritage and preserving the environment for future generations are central to the Trust's mission. Year after year more irreplaceable stretches of countryside and historic buildings are lost forever, making our work even more vital.

Our Environment & Conservation web site covers our work in this area in great depth and our Surf the Coast site carries details about our ongoing campaign to preserve our country's beautiful coastline.

Our Gardens site is a celebration of some of the wonderful gardens cared for by the National Trust.

As a charity, the National Trust relies on help from many different sources.

Increasing numbers of people choose to help us by taking out membership and we encourage our members to play an active role in our work, through such activities as volunteering. You can also provide practical help by joining one of our working holidays.

Making a gift of money or property, or arranging provision for the Trust in a will, are further ways of helping us protect beautiful places for future generations.

Many supporters visit our properties every year, and every visit helps to raise money towards important projects. We also benefit greatly from purchases through our shops, tea-rooms and restaurants, and through our range of holidays.

For more Information please contact:
The National Trust
36 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9AS
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)870 609 5380
Fax: +44 (0)20 7222 5097

UK Heritage links

England Heritage links

Scotland Heritage links

Fife | The Kingdom of Fife | Perth and Kinross | County of Perthshire |

Wales Heritage links

The Channel Islands and The Isle of Man Heritage links

County Information

England

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

Ireland

The Channel Islands and The Isle of Man

Channel Islands | The Isle of Man |