National Trust revamps grand houses to make them feel 'at home'
In a bid to shake off its stuffy reputation, the National Trust is now actively courting visitors to sit down, relax, and enjoy the serene surroundings of its stately homes. The cultural heritage charity has introduced several initiatives aimed at making these iconic properties more welcoming and accessible.
At Wightwick Manor in the West Midlands and Blickling Estate in Norfolk, two of the trust's grandest houses, efforts have been made to identify chairs with cushions featuring beloved animals, inviting visitors to take a seat and unwind. Modern children's books and nonfiction volumes are also being placed along visitor routes at these properties, allowing people to rest and read.
Other properties, including The Vyne in Hampshire, Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, Upton House in Warwickshire, and Dyrham Park near Bath, will also see improvements to seating arrangements. Bibliophiles can now look forward to reading in specially designed libraries at Wightwick Manor, Powis Castle in mid-Wales, and Kingston Lacy in Dorset.
The trust's director of cultural heritage, Tarnya Cooper, believes that these changes will make visitors feel more at ease, saying "We want people to be able to feel at home, feel relaxed and welcome." However, she notes that not all pieces of furniture can be sat on due to their historical significance or fragility. "There isn't a one-size-fits-all," she explained.
In addition to these interior changes, the National Trust is also focusing on exterior initiatives aimed at fostering a closer connection with nature. Plans include setting up big screens in towns and cities showing documentaries about seals, puffins, and beavers, while efforts will also be made to release more beavers into the wild and support the expansion of white-tailed eagles across England and Wales.
Finally, the charity has taken on the management of Heartlands in Cornwall, an eight-hectare heritage regeneration area surrounding a gateway to the Cornwall and West Devon mining world heritage site.
In a bid to shake off its stuffy reputation, the National Trust is now actively courting visitors to sit down, relax, and enjoy the serene surroundings of its stately homes. The cultural heritage charity has introduced several initiatives aimed at making these iconic properties more welcoming and accessible.
At Wightwick Manor in the West Midlands and Blickling Estate in Norfolk, two of the trust's grandest houses, efforts have been made to identify chairs with cushions featuring beloved animals, inviting visitors to take a seat and unwind. Modern children's books and nonfiction volumes are also being placed along visitor routes at these properties, allowing people to rest and read.
Other properties, including The Vyne in Hampshire, Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, Upton House in Warwickshire, and Dyrham Park near Bath, will also see improvements to seating arrangements. Bibliophiles can now look forward to reading in specially designed libraries at Wightwick Manor, Powis Castle in mid-Wales, and Kingston Lacy in Dorset.
The trust's director of cultural heritage, Tarnya Cooper, believes that these changes will make visitors feel more at ease, saying "We want people to be able to feel at home, feel relaxed and welcome." However, she notes that not all pieces of furniture can be sat on due to their historical significance or fragility. "There isn't a one-size-fits-all," she explained.
In addition to these interior changes, the National Trust is also focusing on exterior initiatives aimed at fostering a closer connection with nature. Plans include setting up big screens in towns and cities showing documentaries about seals, puffins, and beavers, while efforts will also be made to release more beavers into the wild and support the expansion of white-tailed eagles across England and Wales.
Finally, the charity has taken on the management of Heartlands in Cornwall, an eight-hectare heritage regeneration area surrounding a gateway to the Cornwall and West Devon mining world heritage site.
. I mean, imagine sittin down with a good book in one of those libraries 
. Its all about creatin a vibe where people can chill and enjoy the surroundings you know? They gotta change their rep to be more relaxed than stuffy 
. And I'm all for them showin documentaries about animals on big screens outside too 
. Just think how nice it'll feel when we're watchin puffins fly around while we eat our snacks 
.
"The secret to a happy life is to be interested in lots of things, not interesting in one single thing." – Marcel Proust 
It's like, we've all been there, scrolling through Instagram and seeing all these gorgeous pics of historical homes, but never really getting the chance to actually experience it. Now, with their new initiatives, I'm sure people will be like, "Yeah, this is where it's at." 
what do u think tho 
The National Trust is doin' a great job makin' 'em feel more like, well, homes 
I mean, who doesn't love a good seat with cushions featuring cute animals? 
. It's all about makin' visitors feel welcome and at ease, you know? 
. It's all about creating a sense of connection and community, which is exactly what we need more of these days.
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! They're finally making those grand houses feel less stuffy and more welcoming 
. It's all about creating a sense of community and belonging, you feel? 
anyway, gotta love the idea of modern kids' books along visitor routes tho 
! Who wouldn't want to watch documentaries about seals and puffins on the big screen in their hometown? And releasing more beavers into the wild is a great move - those little guys bring so much joy to our landscapes 
.
. I mean, who doesn't love a good comfy chair and some reading material? It's like they're finally getting with the times! 
. I mean, come on, making chairs with animal cushions? It's just lazy 
. Can't they just leave the old stuff alone? But I guess if it makes visitors feel more at home and relaxed, that's cool, I suppose 
. I mean, I guess it's nice and all, but isn't that just what nature documentaries are for in the first place? Can't we just leave them to the Discovery Channel or something? 