National Trust
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The National Trust was founded in 1895 with the aim of saving the nation’s heritage, threatened countryside and coastline. It is a charitable organisation that is funded by membership fees, donations, legacies and income from the commercial operations. In 2014, the trust had more than 3.7 million members.
[edit] Management
The National Trust is governed by an elected board of Trustees and led by the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. A range of internal and external groups have been established to help run and advise the National Trust, including the Board committees, expert Panels and Regional Advisory Boards. The President of the National Trust is Prince Charles.
Numerous volunteers support the professional teams of staff that work in the properties and wider organisation.
[edit] Legislation
In 1907, the first National Trust Act was introduced. This has been amended and updated subsequently, and the current governance is provided by The Charities (National Trust) Order 2005.
[edit] National Trust strategy
The current strategy of the trust is focused on four main areas:
- Engaging with supporters.
- Improving conservation and environmental performance.
- Investing in people.
- Financing the future.
[edit] What the National Trust protects
The National Trust protects:
- Houses and buildings.
- Gardens and parks.
- Nature and wildlife.
- Coast and countryside.
- Sites and monuments.
- Collections.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Archaeology.
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Designated sites.
- Energy efficiency for the National Trust.
- English Heritage.
- Environment Agency.
- Gardens Trust.
- Historic England.
- Holy Austin rock houses.
- Listed buildings.
- National parks.
- Natural England.
- Natural Resources Wales.
- Scheduled monuments.
- Scottish Natural Heritage.
- Statutory consultees.
- Technology in the Country House.
- Wimpole Gothic Tower conservation.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.
























