The National Trust

The National Trust is a charity set up in 1895 to preserve places of historic interest and natural beauty in Britain. It owns 200 houses and 230 gardens, which it opens to the public. The Trust also protects 604,160 acres (2,445 km²) of the most beautiful countryside in Britain, as well as 575 miles (925 km) of coastline. Prehistoric and Roman sites, nature reserves, beaches, lighthouses, castles, even whole villages and islands are part of the Trust. It is one of the largest independent landowners in Britain. Many historic buildings are given to the Trust by people who want to make sure that the buildings are protected. In their spare time, volunteers help the National Trust to care for buildings and countryside. They are the life-blood of the Trust. Each year over 20,000 people of all ages contribute more than a million working hours to a wide range of conservation projects.

Michael Vaughan-Rees, Geraldine Sweeney, Picot Cassidy: In Britain; Cornelsen Verlag, 2000, page 73