Back National Trust Afrikaans مؤسسة التراث القومي Arabic Национален тръст за обекти с историческа и природна стойност Bulgarian National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty Catalan National Trust Czech Yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol Welsh National Trust Danish National Trust German National Trust Esperanto Fundación Nacional para Lugares de Interés Histórico o Belleza Natural Spanish

National Trust

For other National Trusts, see National Trust (disambiguation).

National Trust
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol (Welsh)
Iontaobhas Náisiúnta (Irish)
Established1895 (1895)
Legal statusTrust
PurposeTo look after Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty permanently for the benefit of the nation across England, Wales and Northern Ireland
HeadquartersHeelis, Swindon, Wiltshire, England
Region served
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Membership
5.95 million (2019/20)[1]
Key people
Main organ
Board of trustees
Revenue
£681 million (2019/20)[1]
Staff14,000[1]
Volunteers
53,000[1]
Websitenationaltrust.org.uk

The National Trust (Welsh: Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol; Irish: Iontaobhas Náisiúnta) is a heritage and nature conservation charity and membership organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Trust was founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley to "promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest". It has since been given statutory powers, starting with the National Trust Act 1907. Historically, the Trust acquired land by gift and sometimes by public subscription and appeal, but after World War II the loss of country houses resulted in many such properties being acquired either by gift from the former owners or through the National Land Fund.

One of the largest landowners in the United Kingdom, the Trust owns almost 250,000 hectares (620,000 acres; 2,500 km2; 970 sq mi) of land and 780 miles (1,260 km) of coast. Its properties include more than 500 historic houses, castles, archaeological and industrial monuments, gardens, parks, and nature reserves. Most properties are open to the public for a charge (members have free entry), while open spaces are free to all. The Trust has an annual income of over £680 million, largely from membership subscriptions, donations and legacies, direct property income, profits from its shops and restaurants, and investments. It also receives grants from a variety of organisations including other charities, government departments, local authorities, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Annual Report 2019/20 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "His Majesty The King will continue as our Patron". National Trust. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.

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