Tag: National Trust

A house that changed architecture: Richard + Su Rogers’s modernist masterpiece given to the nation 

Stuart Mitchell

The modernist family home designed by architects Richard + Su Rogers that inspired some of the world’s most celebrated buildings has been given to the nation by the Rogers family. 22 Parkside in Wimbledon, London, created for Richard’s parents, will be cared for by the National Trust in a move that will protect one of the UK’s most important examples of modern architecture for future generations. Through the generosity of the Rogers family, the house has passed from private ownership into the shared inheritance of the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The…

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National Trust announces another record-breaking year for new young members, as it encourages 18–25-year-olds to try heritage for free this weekend

Stuart Mitchell

The number of young people joining the National Trust has soared for a second consecutive year, according to the charity’s annual report, released today. Young person’s membership, which is available to 18–25-year-olds for a donation of just over £4 a month, has grown in popularity by 26% on the previous year, equating to 50,600 new members, and taking the total for the past two years to over 90,000. The charity is now encouraging young people and prospective members to try heritage for free this weekend, when the annual Heritage Open…

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National Trust plant sales now 100% peat-free, giving peace of mind to sustainability-focused gardeners – but four-year wait for Government legislation continues

Stuart Mitchell

The National Trust has announced that its entire retail plant supply chain is now 100% peat-free, making the conservation charity one of the first plant retailers in the UK to offer entirely peat-free plants. This milestone marks a significant step in protecting the UK’s remaining peatlands — some of our most precious carbon rich habitats. The move comes four years after the UK Government first committed to ending the use of horticultural peat, a pledge reaffirmed in the 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan. Yet, with no clear timetable for legislation, the…

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Nature proves its worth as rewetting and nature-based solutions to tackle climate change ensure National Trust estate thrives in one of the hottest UK summers on record

Stuart Mitchell

New aerial imagery of the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate in Somerset offers a glimpse of what climate resilience could look like across the UK thanks to a series of pioneering river restoration and wetland creation projects.  Swathes of the river corridor have remained green, lush and full of wildlife in stark contrast to the parched surrounding countryside despite this summer being on course to be one of the hottest on record. The nature‑based solutions introduced by the Estate’s countryside team over the past decade through its ‘Stage 0’ river reset, wetland…

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National Trust warns UK cannot afford a political retreat on climate action as wildfires rage and half of England goes into drought

Stuart Mitchell

The National Trust is today warning that any weakening of the UK’s climate commitments will leave communities, wildlife and landscapes exposed to escalating climate shocks. The charity’s Director-General, Hilary McGrady, says the UK should prepare for more extreme wildfires as Europe watches France and Spain’s emergency responses and is calling on the Government to strengthen its response to tackling climate change and increase national resilience. In the past fortnight, 200 fires have been recorded nationwide, including a huge blaze in the Cairngorms which continues to burn, and a major incident…

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