Individuals have been enthusiastic since the National Trust officially confirmed that it will reopen gardens and parks in the UK.
Many people have visited the National Trust’s attractions in the past. Be it the perennially stunning Stonehenge, Formby, or Brownsea Island.
If you’re looking for places to visit over the weekends or on vacation, here are 25 distinctive and intriguing destinations that belong to the National Trust in the UK.
1. Aira Force and Ullswater, Cumbria
If you’re looking for the best National Trust places to visit, go here. Aira Force was one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the northern English Lake District.
Although it had numerous tiers, The waterfall dropped between two footbridges that crossed the Aira Beck.
For more than 250 years, tourists have been visiting Aira Force.
2. St Agnes Head, Cornwall, England
Here is a beautiful idea to start your search for the best National Trust Places To Visit.
Now and again, we could all use a little quiet time. Few locations in Cornwall are as serene as St Agnes Head, which is not far from Portreath and only a few miles up the coast from Perranporth.
This ruggedly gorgeous region is ideal for trekkers and people wishing to be surrounded by nature and history. It is located high up on the north Cornish coast clifftops.
St. Agnes Head welcomes you at the correct time of year with a thick carpet of gorse and heather and the buzz of insects and birds chirping.
St Agnes Head sits in the shadow of the renowned St Agnes Beacon, a hill with a trig point on its top that provides some of Cornwall’s most stunning views.
3. Wheal Coates Tin Mining, Cornwall
On this quick, circular coastal walk, learn more about the tin mining history of Wheal Coates while admiring the stunning views of the Atlantic.
Visit historic mining structures, such as the Towanroath Shaft engine house with its recognizable chimney, and pause to peer into one of the abandoned shafts. You can see Chapel Porth, Porthtowan, located further down the coast.
The Wheal Coates mine began operations in 1802 and continued until it was shut down in 1889. Between 1911 and 1913, it was briefly reopened before being shut down completely
The location is best known for its three-engine houses, especially the spectacular Towanroath Shaft engine house, now a Grade II listed structure. The National Trust is responsible for maintaining the whole location (along with the adjacent Chapel Porth beach).
4. Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Stonehenge is one of Europe’s most archaeologically significant sites, a 2000-hectare World Heritage Site.
It has around 200 scheduled monuments and is the location of some of the UK’s most significant Neolithic and Bronze Age discoveries and buildings. Additionally, it is the location of one of the famous Chalk grassland reversion efforts ever undertaken.
Southern England’s Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous and baffling archaeological monuments.
Some 4,600 years after it was constructed by prehistoric Britons who left no written records, the megalithic circle on Salisbury Plain evokes awe, interest, and serious debate on this site.
5. Longshaw Estate & Eastern Moors, South Yorkshire
The Longshaw estate is one of the best National Trust places to visit and one of the country’s most visited tourist sites.
If you like breathtaking vistas, you shouldn’t skip a journey to Longshaw, Burbage, and the Eastern Moors. Make some fantastic moments beside the lake or while exploring the woods; you could even see some Red Deer in the wild!
Discover the stunning vistas of the Derwent Valley from the 1600 acres of moor, gritstone margins, and extensive woodlands. It is a fantastic location to see breathtaking Peak District views, old woodlands, meadows, parks, and heather moorland.
Discover the unique locations from Longshaw’s history, such as packhorse paths and millstone quarries. The Shooting Lodge’s tourist center is the best launching pad for exploring Longshaw and the Peak District.
6. Formby, Merseyside
One of Merseyside’s breathtaking coastal beauties is Formby Beach. The tides often expose ancient mud layers because of the erosion along this coastline. If you look attentively, you may be able to discern some animal and human tracks.
In addition to being a lot of fun, the towering dunes provide stunning views of the Irish Sea, and, on a clear day, you can see the mountains of Cumbria. Additionally, there are picnic sites, roads that go to the beach, and woodlands to explore.
It is conveniently located on this side of the water, is readily accessible by Merseyrail, and is excellent for a family day at the beach. Please be careful, heed the warnings posted on the beach, and be aware that there are no lifeguards present at this beach.
7. Brownsea Island, Dorset
Brownsea Island offers stunning views of the Purbeck Hills and the rest of the harbor. The Dorset Wildlife Trust manages the island’s northern half, owned by the National Trust.
Oystercatchers, kingfishers, avocets, spoonbills, common terns, and sandwich terns are just a few of the many species of birds that call the island, an intriguing mixture of forest, heathland, and a lagoon, home.
A Scout Commemorative Stone is situated on the island. The first trial camp was conducted here in 1907 by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who started the Scout organization.
Brownsea continues to draw scouts and guides from around the globe for camps and day outings.
8. Mount Stewart, Northern Ireland
The cherished residence of Northern Ireland is Mount Stewart, which is situated in County Down on the banks of Strangford Lough.
This 19th-century home has undergone a remarkable transformation due to a three-year, £8 million restoration project, making it a must-see site on the island of Ireland.
Listed among the ten leading gardens in the world, Mount Stewart displays a complex tapestry of planting creativity and design that bears the signature of its designer.
9. Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire
Nunnington Hall is a lovely Yorkshire mansion on the River Rye’s tranquil banks. It is complemented by the covered walled garden, which has an organic meadow that blooms in the spring, orchards, and colorful peacocks.
Enjoy this old family home’s ambiance. In the attic, you may find one of the world’s best collections of tiny rooms after exploring period rooms and learning about Hall’s numerous stories.
Several significant art and photography exhibits are held in the Hall annually.
Why not plan a day around it? It is the perfect place to visit.
10. Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire
Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire expands over 8 acres, where you can explore. The National Trust maintains this, where you may relax in the walled garden or wander across beautiful borders.
Over 300,000 spring bulbs along the Ha-Ha Walk, followed by the blossoming of over 90 different fruit tree kinds, magnificent tulips in the borders, and west formalism.
Take a seat under the Pergola, which has white wisteria and was the first finished garden created by renowned landscape architect Andy Sturgeon as part of a long-term plan.
11. Barrington Court, Somerset
Being ranked among the best National Trust places to visit, a magnificent Tudor manor home called Barrington Court can be found in the breathtaking south Somerset countryside.
It is charmingly complemented by apple orchards, functioning kitchen gardens, and gardens designed in the style of Gertrude Jekyll.
Visit Barrington Court, a Tudor manor home devoid of collections and furnishings, to experience the eerie echoes of the past. Discover a home full of memories where light fills the rooms, and you feel you can nearly touch the past by using your imagination and senses to explore.
12. Avebury, Wiltshire
Avebury is one of Britain’s most spectacular and significant scheduled ancient sites. A sizable prehistoric stone circle surrounds this stunning tiny settlement in mid-Wiltshire.
Over 100 standing stones still exist in their original locations, even if many of the large Saracens have been lost.
Most of the settlement is inside the boundaries of its well-known stone circle and earthworks.
A 30-foot-deep ditch surrounds the high circular bank, bordered by standing stones of different sizes and forms. The bank was once 50 feet high and nearly one mile (1.6 km) in a circle.
13. Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland
One of the most beautiful National Trust places to visit is Lindisfarne Castle. For the proprietors and residents of Lindisfarne Castle, the location has always been the primary draw.
The picturesque setting of the Castle has long piqued people’s interest and provided inspiration, serving as anything from a historic fort to the vacation residence of a wealthy Edwardian bachelor seeking a peaceful break from London.
The historic fort is both concealed and highlighted by Edwin Lutyens’ Arts and Crafts reconstruction, which has Gertrude Jekyll’s lovely walled garden and the surprising grandeur of the Lime Kilns, an imposing and stunning reminder of Lindisfarne’s industrial history.
14. Lake District, Cumbria
The Lake District’s timeless landscapes are located in the northwest of England. The glistening lakes and still mountains that inspired poets and artists to transform nature into art are where modern tourism originated.
From the excitement of swimming in open water to the adrenaline of the peaks, this adventurous terrain is meant to stretch the mind.
Traditional games and a full schedule of performances reflect a rich cultural legacy. A fine dining establishment with roots in the region. Yet so accessible while being on the other side of the planet.
15. Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire
William Blathwayt established Dyrham Park in the seventeenth century. It is a prime illustration of how an empire’s wealth was invested in a landed estate, making Dyrham one of the most illustrious stately mansions of its time.
The 270-acre (110-hectare) historic hilly and sloping parkland has stunning trees, spectacular vistas, and room for young explorers to run freely, experience nature, and cross obstacles.
Stepping inside the grand baroque manor home with its exquisite art collection and Dutch Delftware gives visitors a glimpse of William Blathwayt’s life in the late 1600s.
16. The Courts Garden, Wiltshire
The Courts is a 7-acre jewel tucked away between high walls and hedges in the bustling Wiltshire hamlet of Holt. On the site of a former woollen mill is a lovely early 20th-century garden set out as a succession of formal and informal “rooms.”
Since George Hastings designed it in the early 1900s, nothing has altered in the garden’s structure.
The planting style that Lady Cecilie Goff and her gardener Rupert Stacey started in the 1920s and 1930s was carried on by Lady Cecilie’s daughter Moyra, who doubled the size of the garden and included a 3.5-acre arboretum.
The garden has changed since the National Trust bought it in 1944, as several head gardeners have shown off their skills.
17. Chartwell, Kent, England
Winston Churchill’s family house, Chartwell, is situated amid beautiful grounds and offers views of a private lake. An ordinary facade conceals a cozy family house filled with Churchill artifacts, including cigars, paintings, and wartime letters.
1922 Winston and Clementine Churchill purchased Chartwell and lived there for forty years. Churchill was not only a politician and statesman but also a husband, a parent, a writer, a painter, and a landscape architect.
The home’s rooms still have photos, books, and personal items from when he lived there, and a unique exhibition including 50 pieces provides a more in-depth look at his life. The hillside gardens at Chartwell show his passion for the outdoors.
18. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Visit the magnificent Cheddar Gorge and Caves, which include jaw-dropping cliffs and remarkable underground stalactite display caves.
It also has a wealth of intriguing information about our ancient predecessors. Why are you holding out? Experience the majesty of nature, animals, history, and adventure on Somerset’s ideal all-season day trip.
19. Giants Causeway, County Antrim
On the seashore at the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast are breathtaking regions of worldwide geological significance.
Its most distinctive and singular feature is the site’s exposed pavement of over 40,000 massive, regularly formed polygonal basalt columns. This breathtaking sight sparked legends of giants crossing the sea to Scotland.
It has been a tourist destination for at least 300 years and is renowned for its arts and sciences. It is now seen as a symbol for Northern Ireland.
20. Newark Park, Gloucestershire
A wonderful ancient residence is in the center of the lovely 750-acre estate known as Newark Park.
The mansion is prominently positioned at the summit of the Cotswold escarpment, with views over the Ozleworth Valley and the Mendip Mountains beyond.
The Poyntz family constructed the Tudor-style Newark House as a hunting lodge around 1550.
The property has undergone several additions and modifications over the years by different owners and renters, resulting in a stunning and welcoming residence that fits its surroundings.
21. Corfe Castle, Dorset
Everyone who travels to Dorset should include a visit to Corfe Castle on their bucket list since it’s simple to get there and offers a wealth of attractions.
Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring the Castle, and there are plenty of sites to discover in the village to keep you busy all day.
You may tour the meandering alleys, view the distinctive Purbeck Stone Cottages, journey back in time by visiting the Swanage to Corfe Castle Heritage Steam Railway, and visit the Model Area to discover more about the village.
There are numerous places to unwind, eat, and drink food and beverages made with local ingredients at bars, cafés, takeaways, and restaurants.
22. Chastleton House, Oxfordshire
One of England’s best and most comprehensive Jacobean homes is Chastleton House.
It is loaded with various uncommon and everyday items, furniture, and textiles that members of one family have been collecting continuously since the building was finished in 1612.
With an intriguing topiary ring in their center, the gardens are generally Elizabethan and Jacobean.
23. Powis Castle and Gardens, Welshpool, Wales
Powis Castle, a medieval stronghold constructed about 1200, is perched high on a cliff above its renowned garden.
The garden, designed with Italian and French influences in mind, is shaded by trimmed yews and contains rare and delicate species. There is an orangery on the terraces, and the original lead sculptures remain.
Powis, which has been remodeled and enhanced for more than 400 years, represents the shifting goals of the Herbert family, who have lived in the Castle since the 1570s.
24. Great Chalfield Manor and Garden, Wiltshire
This is a beautiful spot to start your search for the top National Trust places to visit. Great Chalfield is one of England’s most exquisite examples of a medieval manor house.
This historic home, which has seven acres of grounds and is located in the peaceful Wiltshire countryside, has survived five centuries of construction. It still has many original features from the 1470s when Wiltshire landowner Thomas Tropenell built it.
Many aspects of Great Chalfield reflect Parsons’ superb taste and meticulous attention to detail. The National Trust takes reasonable care of the garden, but someone who appreciates flowers as much as Parsons should take care of it.
25. Lacock Abbey and Village, Wiltshire
Lacock Abbey is a quaint rural estate built around a medieval nunnery from the thirteenth century.
It is located in a large, forested area with many picnic tables, and you may recognize it from movies like Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice.
William Henry Fox Talbot, a multi-talented man, created the photographic negative at the beginning of the 19th century, which laid the groundwork for photography’s development as an art form and a well-liked pastime.
His accomplishments are recognized both at the Abbey and in a photographic museum, which also organizes a regular schedule of photography exhibits.
Key Takeaways
The National Trust is a nonprofit membership organization that works to save the history and legacy of the UK (Wales, England, and Northern Ireland).
They manage nearly 500 properties, including historical castles, homes, manors, gardens, parks, archaeological and industrial sites, beaches, and natural reserves, making them the most significant landowner in the United Kingdom.
Their holdings include over 248,000 hectares of land and 780 miles of coastline. Your entryway to unique sites that astound, entertain, and educate is the National Trust.
Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
