National Trust
Historic Places and Spaces
Motto: To look after Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty permanently for the benefit of the nation across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The National trust founded in 1895 describes itself as a charity that works to preserve and protect historic places and spaces for ever, for everyone.
At its start, the trust tended to focus mainly on English country houses which still make up the largest part of its holdings, but it also includes and protects historic landscapes such as in the Lake District, historic urban properties, and nature reserves.
The Trust has special powers to prevent land being sold off or mortgaged, although this can be over-ridden by Parliament.