The National Trust

Hello! We are the National Trust. Our full name is a very long one: The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. It’s a lot to say, so most people just call us the National Trust. We are a special kind of group called a charity. Our job is to take care of wonderful places all across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We protect beautiful, long coastlines where you can see the sea, and we look after the green, rolling countryside where animals make their homes. We also care for amazing old houses and lovely gardens, keeping them safe for everyone to enjoy.

Our story began a very long time ago, in the year 1895. Back then, cities were getting bigger and bigger. New buildings and roads were appearing everywhere. Three thoughtful people saw this happening and grew worried. Their names were Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter, and Hardwicke Rawnsley. They looked at the beautiful countryside and the historic old buildings and thought about what might happen to these special places if no one protected them. They were afraid that these treasures would be lost forever. So, they decided to do something about it. Together, they created us, the National Trust, with the important mission of saving these places for the future.

What does it mean to care for a special place? It’s a very big job! Today, we look after hundreds of amazing spots. You can visit huge stone castles that have stood for centuries or walk through grand homes filled with history. Many of these homes have secret gardens to explore, with winding paths and colorful flowers. We also care for long, sandy beaches and tall cliffs by the sea. Our work is to make sure these places stay safe and beautiful. We fix old walls, plant new trees, and keep paths clear for visitors. It's also our job to protect the wildlife that lives in these areas. By caring for the land, we make sure that animals and plants have a safe place to live, too. We help keep history alive so you can step back in time and explore.

Even after all these years, we are still working hard to protect these important places. And we don’t do it alone! Millions of people have decided to help us by becoming our members. Their support allows us to continue caring for nature and history every single day. Because of our members, families can visit our places to play, learn new things, and make wonderful memories together. Our hope is to keep all of these castles, coastlines, gardens, and homes special for everyone, forever.