10 National Trust Places To Visit In 2024
Here in the UK, we are blessed with many National Trust places to visit from historical houses, glorious parks, beautiful gardens, coasts and countryside.
There are fantastic places to visit in every corner of England, Wales and Northern Ireland if you’re looking to experience something new and head out on a fun-filled day out.
With the summertime coming up fast, there’s no better time of year to explore the nature, beauty and history of this country’s National Trust sites.
History Of The National Trust
The National Trust was set up in 1895 by Octavia Hall, Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley so that natural and historic places could be protected for future generations.
They’re the largest private society devoted to heritage preservation in the UK, and today work to preserve and protect the buildings, countryside and coastline of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As The National Trust is a charity, the majority of the funds which help them carry out the work they do comes from donations and membership fees, so not only will you get a great day out from exploring these places, but you’ll also be giving back!
Scotland also has their own National Trust organisation which helps to protect Scottish wildlife, gardens, castles, battlefields and islands.
National Trust Places To Visit
Now you know a bit more about the history of The National Trust, you can check out our 10 top picks for places to visit in 2023.
The best part is, as a young person aged 18-25, you can make the most of the annual National Trust membership for just £42 per year.
This grants you free access to over 500 of the UK’s most loved sites!
1. Biddulph Grange Gardens
Biddulph Grange is a National Trust landscaped garden located in Biddulph, close to Stoke-on-Trent.
This stunning Victorian garden was created by James Bateman and dates back to the 19th century, housing an important collection of plants from across the world, a spectacular Chinese garden and an Egyptian Court.
Within the Chinese garden, you can walk across the oldest surviving golden larch in Britain which was bought from China back in the 1850s – it’s like stepping back in time!
There’s even the Garden Rooms where you can grab a bite to eat or drink after you’re done strolling around.
With so much to do and see in this formal Victorian masterpiece, you’ll certainly be amazed.
If you have a National Trust membership it’s free to enter, otherwise, it is £12 for adults.
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Address: Grange Rd, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 7SD
2. Stourhead
So you’re searching for National Trust places to visit? We have to recommend planning a trip to Stourhead.
Stourhead is a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden spanning 1,072 hectares at the source of the River Stour.
The Stourhead House is a Palladian-style villa that forms the centre of the garden, which houses generations of history from the Hoare family along with a significant collection of paintings and furniture from around the world.
After taking a tour around the house, you can also explore the garden with lakeside views, grottoes and classical temples.
It’s also home to King Alfred’s Tower which stands at 160 ft high and offers panoramic views across three counties.
There is so much to do and see at this picturesque estate on the Wiltshire-Somerset border, so everyone is guaranteed a great day out!
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Address: Stourton, Warminster BA12 6QF
3. Knole
Situated within the heart of Kent’s last mediaeval deer park, Knole is one of the most impressive and one of the largest historical buildings in the UK.
Owned by the National Trust, Knole is a historic home which has been home to the Sackville family since 1603.
Within the huge country house, you can roam around the showrooms which display fantastic collections of Royal Stuart furniture and textiles, as well as paintings by renowned artists.
You can even enjoy sky-high views from the top of the Gatehouse Tower and get some Insta-worthy shots from the top.
If you fancy a cuppa or some lunch, you can wander over to The Brewhouse Cafe which offers a range of delicious food and drink for you to choose from.
With more than 400 years worth of history, why not take a visit for yourself and follow in the footsteps of those who have come before you?
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Address: Knole House, Sevenoaks TN15 0RP
4. Craigside
Looking for unique National Trust places to visit this year? If so, one place you need to check out is Craigside.
Tucked away in the idyllic surroundings of Rothbury in Northumberland, Craigside is a Victorian country house with a fascinating history.
Previously the home of Victorian inventor, Lord William Armstrong, Craigside was the first house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power and has gained its title as Britain’s original smart home.
Spanning over 1000 acres, the house is surrounded by one of the largest rock gardens in Europe and features a stunning formal garden as well as over 40 miles of lakeside and woodland walks.
Not only can you appreciate the breathtaking scenery, but you can also learn more about the world-famous engineer who lived here centuries ago!
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Address: Rothbury, Morpeth NE65 7PX
5. Stonehenge
What would a round-up of the best National Trust sites to visit be without a mention of Stonehenge? It’s one of the UK’s most iconic sites!
This huge man-made circle is one of the most important surviving sites in Britain, with visitors coming from across the UK and beyond to experience it for themselves.
Located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, Stonehenge is steeped in history and consists of a group of huge rough-cut stones some more than 20 feet high, arranged in two concentric circles.
After experiencing the atmosphere of the Stone Circle, you can walk among the Neolithic houses which were home to prehistoric people 4,000 years ago!
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Address: 3 Stonehenge Rd, Salisbury SP4 7DD
6. Petworth House and Park
Petworth House and Park is a magnificent National Trust Site nestled in the heart of West Sussex.
With its grandeur and charm, this historic estate dating back to the 17th century will not fail to captivate you.
Set in a 700-acre deer park with a large lake and home to a striking mansion, this huge site has something to offer everyone, whether you’re an art enthusiast, a history buff or simply after a peaceful retreat.
Created by the Egremont family across a 900 year period, Petworth House features a gallery with fine sculptures and paintings from artists like Van Dyck, Turner and Gainsborough.
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Address: Petworth GU28 9LR
7. Treasurer’s House
For us, without a doubt, the Treasurer’s House has to be one of the most intriguing National Trust sites in the UK.
You’ll find this grand mansion in the heart of York, boasting a rich heritage that dates back to the mediaeval area, once you step through the doors and be transported into another world.
Completed back in 1293, this stunning historical house nestled behind York Minster features a Great Hall, a 15th-century kitchen as well as exquisite collections of 17th and 18th furniture, ceramics, textiles and paintings.
We must warn you though, it’s deemed to be one of the most haunted locations in the UK, with many visitors having said they’ve seen ghosts of Roman soldiers within the house’s cellar.
So, a trip here is not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re after an adrenaline rush and want to delve into the history of this little gem, be sure to check it out!
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Address: Minster Yard, York YO1 7JL
8. Powis Castle and Garden
A part of the National Trust since 1952, Powis Castle and Garden is by far one of the most fantastic places to visit in Wales.
Situated nearby to the town of Welshpool, this major Welsh attraction features a 13th-century mediaeval castle which was built by Welsh princes and originally used as a fortress.
Inside the castle, you can discover the UK’s most significant collections of South Asian artefacts, then head out to the picturesque and world-famous garden which is a sight to behold.
This fortified stately home is deemed to be one of the finest surviving examples of its kind, so if you’re looking for things to do this summer, we’d highly recommend a day out here!
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Address: Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool SY21 8RF
9. Attingham Park
Hidden away in the heart of Shropshire, Attingham Park is a magnificent English country house and parkland which dates back to 1785.
Now owned by the National Trust, Attingham Park is spread across 200 acres of parkland and features a Regency mansion, which boasts a huge collection of furniture, silver, paintings, and textiles.
The estate itself is truly enormous, with rivers, woodland, parkland, a walled garden, an orchard deer park, pleasure grounds, as well as a variety of wildlife to discover.
So, if you’re after a nice place to stretch your legs and walk around, you’re spoilt for choice here!
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Address: Attingham Park, Atcham, Shrewsbury SY4 4TP
10. Mount Stewart
Mount Stewart is a captivating National Trust site located in County Down, Northern Ireland.
With a fascinating history which dates back centuries, the site features an impressive 19th-century house which was once home to the Stewart family and houses a world-class collection of paintings.
Mount Stewart is also renowned for its beautiful gardens which are considered one of the most unique and unusual within the UK.
Considering it hosts a range of events and activities throughout the year, including exhibitions, concerts, workshops, and guided tours, it sure promises to be an unforgettable day out!
No matter if you’re a history buff or nature enthusiast, Mount Stewart is well worth the visit.
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Address: Cliveden Rd, Taplow, Maidenhead SL1 8NS
With more than 500 National Trust sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there really are so many amazing places to visit.
We hope this guide has given you some inspiration for where to head on your next day out with your friends this year!
Have you been to any spectacular National Trust sites? Let us know which ones @universalstudentliving.
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