The National Trust has been caring for special places in the UK for more than 125 years. During that time, we have sought to preserve the nation's precious heritage through a wide range of projects, initiatives and programmes. On this page, we look back at all the important milestones in our history, from our foundation right up to our recent anniversary celebrations.
The founders of the National Trust believed that everyone needs nature, beauty and history, so they set up the Trust to look after the nation’s coastline, historic sites, countryside and green spaces.
With 5.37 million members, 10,000 staff and thousands of volunteers, the National Trust is now the biggest conservation charity in Europe, caring for more than 250,000 hectares of farmland, more than 780 miles of coastline, and more than 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves, for everyone, for ever.
Take a look below to learn about some of the key moments in the National Trust’s history.
The idea of the National Trust is born
The idea of the National Trust is born when Octavia Hill, one of the founders, is asked to help preserve Sayes Court garden in South East London.
The National Trust is founded
Within a few weeks of the National Trust being registered under the Companies Act, it is given its first place: five acres of clifftop at Dinas Oleu in Wales.
First building bought
The National Trust purchases Alfriston Clergy House in East Sussex for £10.
First nature reserve
The Trust acquires its first nature reserve with the purchase of two acres of Wicken Fen, near Cambridge.
Kanturk Castle
The Trust’s commitment to great buildings is confirmed with the gift of Kanturk Castle, in what will become the Republic of Ireland. Kanturk now belongs to An Taisce: The National Trust for Ireland.
Appeal launched to buy Brandelhow
The Trust launches a nationwide campaign to raise funds for the purchase of Brandelhow on Derwentwater. Many contribute to the appeal, including the daughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Louise, and factory workers in the Midlands.
The National Trust Act
The National Trust Act of 1907 is drafted by Sir Robert Hunter, one of the Trust's co-founders, to give the Trust the status of a statutory corporation. In the same year, the Trust acquires Barrington Court, a 16th-century country house in Somerset.
Blakeney Point
Blakeney Point in Norfolk is acquired for its value as a coastal nature reserve. It's a great place to spot wildlife, including terns and seals.
Great Gable
Great Gable, a peak in the Lake District, is presented to the National Trust by the Fell and Rock Climbing Club as a memorial to members who were killed in the Great War.
In the same year, historian GM Trevelyan uses his friendship with the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, and the author John Buchan, to gain support and boost falling membership numbers.
The press supports our cause
Under the chairmanship of critic and journalist John Bailey, the Trust receives more sympathetic coverage from the press than at any time in its history, before or since. On 25 October, a letter in The Times, appealing for funds for Ashridge in Hertfordshire, is signed by Stanley Baldwin, Ramsay MacDonald and Herbert Asquith.
Farmland around Stonehenge is bought
Over 1,400 acres of farmland around Stonehenge is bought following a national appeal.
Beatrix Potter lends her support
Beatrix Potter uses the income from her children's books to support the Trust's work in the Lake District. As a result, Monk Coniston Estate, near Coniston Water, is acquired.
The National Trust for Scotland is established
The National Trust for Scotland has similar statutory powers to the National Trust, but with an entirely independent constitution.
Village first
West Wycombe becomes the first village to come under National Trust protection.
The National Trust Act
The Marquis of Lothian proposes that the National Trust should be able to accept the gift of country houses, with endowments in land or capital, which would be free of tax. These new powers are provided in the National Trust Act of 1937.
Quarry Bank Mill
Following the gift of Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate in Cheshire, the Trust gets involved with sites of major importance for their industrial archaeology.
In the same year, Lord Lothian bequeaths the Trust his Jacobean house, Blickling in Norfolk.
50th birthday
The Trust celebrates its 50th year. By this point, it manages 112,000 acres of land and 93 historic buildings, as well as having 7,850 members.
The National Land Fund is established
The National Land Fund is established by Dr Hugh Dalton, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as a memorial to those killed in the Second World War. Many great country houses are subsequently transferred to the National Trust with assistance from this fund, beginning with Cotehele in Cornwall.
Post-war collaboration
The National Trust joins forces with the Royal Horticultural Society to launch the Gardens Scheme, which is designed to encourage and fund the acquisition of outstanding gardens.
In the same year, Hidcote in Gloucestershire is gifted to the Trust by Major Lawrence Johnston.
Launch of the Neptune Campaign
The Neptune Campaign is launched with the aim of acquiring unspoilt coastline that might be at risk. In 2022, the Trust cares for over 775 miles of coast all around the UK.
The Benson Report
The Benson Report recommends that much of the Trust's administration be devolved to regions. Following this and other recommendations, the Trust experiences a decade of unprecedented growth.
75th anniversary
As the Trust celebrates its 75th year, membership to the charity stands at more than 226,000. The Trust begins to sell items such as tea towels, leading to the formation of National Trust Enterprises.
A membership milestone
The National Trust reaches 500,000 members.
The big one million
Another milestone is reached as members total one million.
Sutton House is more than a home
The Trust reverses a decision to turn Sutton House, owned since 1936, into flats and devote it to cultural and educational uses for the benefit of the community in Hackney.
Two million members
The National Trust hits the two million members mark; that's more than the combined membership of all the political parties.
Meanwhile, the Snowdonia Appeal is launched by Sir Anthony Hopkins. The Lake District Appeal, begun three years earlier, reaches its target of £2 million.
Moving with the times
The Trust acquires 2 Willow Road in Hampstead, a modern-movement house designed by Erno Goldfinger in 1938.
Centenary celebrations
The Trust celebrates its centenary with a service in St Paul's Cathedral. In its first 100 years, the National Trust became the guardian of 580,000 acres of countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 545 miles of coastline; 230 historic houses and 130 important gardens.
The start of something new
The National Trust embarks on another major structural review, with the aim of working more effectively with other conservation bodies and improving internal processes.
Farming Forward
The Farming Forward initiative is launched, at the time of the foot and mouth crisis, reaffirming the Trust's commitment to preserving both natural beauty and a viable economy in rural areas.
Money well spent
The Victorian country house Tyntesfield, near Bristol, is put up for sale. Within 100 days, the Trust raises £3 million from over 50,000 individual donors and secures a grant of £17.5 million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Arts and Crafts
The National Trust purchases Red House in Bexleyheath. The house was once owned by the Arts and Crafts designer William Morris, who was a friend and supporter of Octavia Hill.
A new home
The Trust moves to a new central office in Heelis, Swindon, bringing staff from four central offices under one roof for the first time. A small office in London remains.
Membership keeps on growing
Membership figures hit the 3.5 million mark.
Volunteering milestone
The total number of volunteers working for the Trust, donating what Octavia Hill called gifts of time, exceeds 50,000.
Seaton Delaval saved for the nation
Following a massive appeal that raises over £3 million from thousands of people, charitable trusts and companies across the country, Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland is saved for the nation.
Another membership milestone
National Trust membership reaches four million.
Leasing Tredegar House
The Trust takes over the care of Tredegar House, the 17th-century ancestral home of the Morgan family, and embarks on a series of extensive projects to conserve the building.
A devastating fire
On 29 April, a fire, caused by an electrical fault, rips through Clandon Park in Surrey. The Trust manages to save over 400 items from the collection and, following a 14-month salvage operation, is now working on rebuilding the house.
10-year strategy launched
The Trust launches a 10-year strategy, ‘Playing our Part’, to meet the needs of the 21st century. It includes a pledge to reduce energy use by 15% and source 50% of energy from renewables by 2020/21.
White Cliffs saved
Thanks to generous donations, £1 million is raised, allowing the Trust to secure 700,000 square metres of land just behind the White Cliffs of Dover, thus preserving their future.
A gigantic leap
The Trust reaches another milestone with membership jumping from four million to five million in just six years.
A new Director General
Hilary McGrady takes over from Dame Helen Ghosh as Director-General of the National Trust.
