It’s lucky that the National Trust looks after some of the most remarkable spots in the UK – more than 780 miles of coastline, 248,000 hectares of land and 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves. At the time of the trust’s founding in 1895, Britain was in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, when cities were expanding at lightning speed, prompting concerns about the impact on the surrounding countryside.

It was established to preserve our beloved green spaces and the properties and heritage within them, to give everyone a chance to seek the refuge they offered, no matter where they lived. If recent times have taught us anything, it’s the sheer power that escaping from our everyday lives can have on our wellbeing. Of course, with lockdown still in place, it’s always wise to check restrictions before travelling and pre-book wherever possible. With that in mind, here are some of our favourite National Trust and sites across the UK.