The 20 Best National Trust Properties, Ranked and Rated
1. Giant’s Causeway – Earning top marks for its breathtaking natural staircases and myths, Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is a UNESCO World Heritage site that enchants visitors with its geological wonders.
2. Stourhead – Located in Wiltshire, England, Stourhead is acclaimed for its world-class landscape garden circling a tranquil lake, with classical temples and rare plants.
3. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal – This North Yorkshire gem boasts the majestic ruins of one of the largest Cistercian abbeys in England alongside a Georgian water garden.
4. Sissinghurst Castle Garden – Created by Vita Sackville-West, these Kent gardens are renowned for their vibrant floral displays and the romantic White Garden.
5. Hardwick Hall – Esteemed for its remarkable Elizabethan architecture, Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire features sumptuous interiors and expansive grounds.
6. Waddesdon Manor – A Renaissance-style chateau in Buckinghamshire filled with exquisite art and antiques, Waddesdon draws accolades for its impressive wine cellars and seasonal displays.
7. Corfe Castle – Standing on a natural hill in Dorset, the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle encapsulate over 1,000 years of history with panoramic views to match.
8. Petworth House – West Sussex’s grand 17th-century mansion is celebrated for its extensive art collection including works by Turner and Van Dyck, set within a beautiful ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped park.
9. Belton House – This Lincolnshire estate is commended for its perfect Restoration-era architecture set in formal gardens and extensive parklands featuring wildlife.
10. Cliveden – Overlooking the Thames in Berkshire, Cliveden boasts a series of gardens each with distinctive character alongside a storied mansion filled with intrigue.
11. Lanhydrock – Cornish life in Victorian times comes alive at this glorious estate, complete with an opulent house and hundreds of acres of cycling and walking trails.
12. Chartwell – The beloved home of Winston Churchill in Kent provides an intimate look into the life of Britain’s iconic leader through carefully preserved living spaces.
13. Attingham Park – This Shropshire property wows visitors with its Regency décor, enthralling history of decline and revival, complemented by expansive deer parklands.
14. Knightshayes Court – A gothic revival masterpiece in Devon, this property delights with fine decorative interiors alongside kitchen gardens producing seasonal delights.
15. Castle Ward – Situated on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, this 18th-century unique property offers an eccentric blend of architectural styles surrounded by a lush woodland estate.
16. Hidcote Manor Garden – Celebrated as one of the most influential Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain, this Gloucestershire paradise features intricately designed outdoor ‘rooms’.
17. Kingston Lacy – With a façade inspired by an Italian palace, this Dorset jewel contains a world-class art collection and stunning gardens.
18. Bodnant Garden – Nestled above the River Conwy in Wales, Bodnant Garden impresses with its grand terraces, lush planting schemes, and striking views across Snowdonia.
19. Blickling Hall – A Norfolk treasure famed for its long gallery library housing more than 12,000 books alongside an illustrious Jacobean house surrounded by historic parkland.
20. Cragside – Revered as the first house to be lit by hydroelectricity in Northumberland, Cragside captivates visitors with its innovative Victorian engineering amidst picturesque rock gardens.