Skip Navigation
  • Visits and Holidays
  • Conservation, Heritage and Learning
  • Get Involved With The National Trust
Support Our Work
Volunteering
The Charity
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesSupport our workClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesThe CharityClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesAnnual Report 2010Clear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Selected item imageClear image used for layout purposesOur PastClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesHistory & place
Clear image used for layout purposesHistory of the Trust
Clear image used for layout purposesTimeline
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesOur PresentClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesOur FutureClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesOur AcquisitionsClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesLegal noticesClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesJobs Clear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesBook a talkClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesPhoto libraryClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
Background imageClear image used for layout purposesVolunteeringClear image used for layout purposes
Clear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposes
* *
THE CHARITY
* *
Our founders, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, Octavia Hill & Sir Robert Hunt.
© National Trust

Our past

The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three Victorian philanthropists - Miss Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley.

Concerned about the impact of uncontrolled development and industrialisation, they set up the Trust to act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside and buildings.

'The need of quiet, the need of air, the need of exercise, and..the sight of sky and of things growing seem human needs, common to all men'
Octavia Hill
View of The George Inn in West Street in Lacock, Wiltshire.
 History & Place
Our heritage is more than bricks and mortar.
 
 
Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley (1851-1920). One of the founders and first Honary Secretary of the National Trust.

History of the Trust
Find out more about the birth of the National Trust.

 
The National Trust sign for beauty and quality of life.
 Timeline
See how much we have grown and changed since 1895.