A valued institution in the UK is The National Trust, originally known as The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. The Trust, a nonprofit membership organisation founded in 1895, is committed to preserving and safeguarding historic places and scenic locales throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its founders, Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter, and Hardwicke Rawnsley, had as their goal the permanent preservation of areas and structures of aesthetic or historical value for the good of the country.

Over 500 historic homes, castles, industrial and archaeological monuments, gardens, parks, and nature preserves make up the Trust's diverse and sizable holdings. This contains the childhood residences of well-known people including the Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The Trust owns about 250,000 hectares of land and 780 miles of coastline, making it one of the greatest landowners in the UK. While open spaces are accessible to everyone for free, its properties are frequently open to the public for a fee. The Trust receives more than £680 million in revenue each year, the majority of which comes from membership dues, gifts, bequests, direct property income, and profits from its eateries and stores.

The National Trust works to make these places open to the public and pleasurable for all, rather than just conserving the past. Many volunteers assist it by giving of their time and talents to help maintain the facilities and extend a warm welcome to guests. The Trust also plans a variety of events and educational programmes at its facilities, making it a vibrant and active organisation that keeps playing a significant part in the UK's cultural life.