The

In 2020 it will be 125 years since the National Trust was founded.

As Europe’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust look after nature, beauty and history for the nation to enjoy.

Their shared places stretch across the nation, from Lizard Point in Cornwall, to Lindisfarne in Northumberland and Florence Court in Northern Ireland. They include:

• Over 780 miles of coastline • More than 250,000 hectares of land • Over 500 historic houses, castles, parks, and gardens • Nearly one million works of art.

After witnessing much of the industrialisation of London, the founders of the Trust, activist , Solicitor Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley campaigned for green places.

One of the three founders, Octavia Hill was a pioneering thinker and social reformer. Her belief in the importance of access to nature for human wellbeing, and the need to stop the destruction of the natural landscape are all the more relevant today. Octavia pioneered to improve the lives of those less fortunate than herself and set out to improve working-class living conditions.

She joined a campaign to save Swiss Cottage Fields from development and although the campaign eventually failed, it was through it that she met Robert Hunter, solicitor for the Commons Preservation Society.

They successfully campaigned together to resist development on Parliament Hill Fields, Vauxhall Park and Hilly Fields in London and then ultimately, along with Hardwicke Rawnsley, went on to found the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty in 1895, so that green spaces could ‘be kept for the enjoyment, refreshment, and rest of those who have no country house’. Their original values are still at the heart of everything The National Trust do 125 years later.

Dinas Oleu walk in Barmouth was the first area of land donated to the National Trust in 1895. This was followed the year after with the first building they bought, Alfreston Clergy House in Sussex. This 15th century timber framed house was saved forever by the Trust at a cost of £10 (about £600 in today’s money).

The National Trust was first incorporated in 1895 as an Association Not for Profit under the Companies Acts 1862-1890. Every scone or cup of tea you buy at a National Trust location, every membership and every donation help to keep the National Trust special places forever. As Europe’s largest conservation charity, without your help, they wouldn't be able to care for the miles of coastline, woodlands, and countryside, and the hundreds of historic buildings, gardens and precious collections that they protect. The National Trust also look after one of the world's largest and most significant holdings of fine art and heritage objects – a treasure chest of history. With over 200 collections, 144 of which are accredited museums, no other organisation conserves such a range of heritage locations with buildings, contents, gardens and settings intact, nor provides such extensive public access.

They also care for thousands of paintings, offering visitors some of the finest examples of art from Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary showstoppers. The list of conservation projects they have ongoing is endless and they have teams of trained staff and volunteers taking care to look after, restore and preserve every house, building, garden and collection.

There is always so much to do from dusting and cleaning, to restoring walls, to tapestries, that they are always constantly needing support and thanks to the millions of members, volunteers and staff, they are able to protect and care for their amazing locations and collections so people can enjoy them.

Everyone can get involved, and everyone can make a difference. For 125 years, people like you have helped the National Trust protect some of the UK's best-loved places. Everyone needs nature, beauty and green spaces now more than ever. But their income has dropped sharply due to the coronavirus crisis. As a charity, they rely on donations. Please consider giving what you can to help them look after these places, so people and nature can thrive. https://secure.nationaltrust.org.uk/donate/personal-details

The National Trust are reopening the places you love gradually, safely and in line with government advice. They are opening more and more gardens and parks every week and increasing the number of tickets available for those places that are already open. There are also hundreds of coast and countryside car parks open in England and Northern Ireland that you don't have to book. So now is a perfect time to join the National Trust as a member. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join- us?intcmp=Join_Central_summer20_hp_mayjun