Every walk has two stages: “This is so lovely.” “How is this uphill AGAIN?”

New year. Same scone obsession.

Thank you for supporting our Crowdfunder. It is open until 4 January 2026 so there’s still time to make a donation and be in the draw to win a chance to get hands-on at Cerne Abbas: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cerne-abba...

The morning after the night before... Photo: Tamsin Holmes

As the sun rises on the very last day of 2025, we'd like to say a huge *thank you* for all your support this year. Your visits, memberships and donations help us to look after castles and coastlines, hill monuments and historic houses, and more! Photo: Claydon, Buckinghamshire by John Miller

#DiggingforBritain returns on 7th January with a new 6-part series on BBC Two with @profaliceroberts.bsky.social, and includes two @nationaltrust.org.uk properties: 4th February - Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire 5th February - St Michael's Mount, Cornwall. Tune in to find out more!

The sales have been counted and verified... We can now reveal we served an amazing 2.7 MILLION SCONES over the year. Plus, every single bake and brew you've bought at one of our cafés directly supports our work looking after the places you love. Thank you.

We're delighted to announce that Hilary McGrady, our Director-General, has been awarded a CBE for services to heritage in The King's New Year Honours. Congratulations, Hilary! Photo: National Trust Images / Megan Taylor

It's been a strange year for weather and wildlife in the UK...

It's been a year of weather extremes that has pushed nature to its limits, but there have been some wins along the way. From drought to deluge, find out how the UK’s wildlife was tested in our 2025 review: buff.ly/24LdwL0 Photos: Hanne Siebers, Sarah Davis, Paul Harris, Laurence Perry

Just in case you're wondering, today is Sunday.

When you're visiting family and have to stay in the spare bedroom. Photo: Mr Straw's House, Nottinghamshire

Huge news from Blakeney Point...

PSA. It's Friday today and the bins probably aren't going to be collected.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a... dormouse?

When you hear the lid open on the box of chocolates that have been saved for Christmas. Photo: David Humphries

Us, watching the grey seal live stream on YouTube right now... Things have certainly quietened down over at Blakeney Point after another busy pupping season, but we'll still be keeping the camera live for a while yet. Join us, and let us know what you spot here: buff.ly/OVC00M9

Time for some festive fun… Can you caption this image?

The sun casts a golden glow across the sky for the Festival of Light. We wish all those celebrating Hanukkah peace and joy.

Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. From here, the nights will stop drawing in and daylight hours stretch out again. What will you do with your longer days? Video: Timelapse of the sun rising

Christmas tree goals at Hughenden... Photos: Hugh Mothersole

When you're told 'no more chocolates' but it's okay because you've got deep pockets... Painting: Captain Sir Thomas Dutton, circa 1605-1615, artist unknown. From the collection at Sherborne Park Estate in Gloucestershire.

Everyone's getting into the Christmas spirit this year! Photo: Mike Selby, Wimpole Estate

We asked our pals over at @nationaltrust.org.uk to send some festive pictures and alt text, and they absolutely delivered 👏 A great example of how brands should do it, to mark Alt Text Advent, day 19! Image credit: National Trust Images/Robert Morris

✨The most sparkling, feel-good TV is back this evening. ✨ Hidden Treasures of the National Trust returns in time for Christmas, unwrapping the festive stories behind some of the places we look after at this magical time of the year.

Just a cyclamen appreciation post... Photo: Chris Davies, Anglesey Abbey

The roof of the café at Horsey Windpump in Norfolk is being replaced using local reeds from Horsey. The quality of these reeds, which reflects the health of the waterways in the area, means we can expect the thatch to last for 50 to 80 years. Read more at buff.ly/P9V6PLH

When you remember that Christmas just a week away but you've not started shopping yet.

Looking for a podcast recommendation? In the latest episode of our Back When series we meet the people protecting heritage in the face of great challenges. You can how Kingston Lacy in Dorset is connected to an ancient wonder of the world, the city of Petra in Jordan: buff.ly/QSlDpIF

Do you remember this? Back in 2019 *this post* caused quite a stir on social media.

Have you heard the phrase Biodiversity Net Gain, or BNG, before? It's an initiative that makes sure nature isn't just replaced when much-needed houses are built, but measurably improved - and the government has just made an announcement about reforming it as part of a wider statement on planning. 👇

Together with our partners and the community, we're creating a legacy for the much-loved Sycamore Gap tree. 49 saplings known as 'Trees of Hope’ have been grown from seeds rescued from the tree and gifted to communities around the country. Student's from Suffolk New College have just planted theirs.

Sycamore Gap sapling planted in our Botanic Garden 🌳 Planted by Director Nick Bailey, it joins the National Trust's ‘Tree of Hope’ project – one of 49 saplings from the iconic tree. 👉 https://le.ac.uk/news/2025/december/nick-bailey-sycamore-gap-botanic-garden

Happy birthday Jane Austen! From ballroom dances in Emma to *that* lake scene with Mr Darcy, many of the places in our care have featured in Austen adaptations, but who can name these places and where they have appeared?

"Hidden Treasures of the National Trust" returns with a Christmas special this Friday (19th December) on BBC Two at 9pm. Viewers will have privileged access to three unique properties as they prepare for three very different Christmas celebrations: Cragside, Cotehele and Coleton Fishacre.

We asked our teams to share some of the sad* Christmas decorations in the collections they help care for. *Note: Not all are sad. Some are ever so slightly odd and all are weirdly wonderful.

Alt text advent, day 14. If you're not feeling Christmassy yet, this should do it! Thank you @nationaltrust.org.uk for the stunning image and alt text. 🎄 Image credit: National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Victorian cleric Reverend Robert Hawker loved this view so much he built a hut into the hillside there in around 1844. The hut was made out of timbers from shipwrecks, and is a Grade II listed building! Photos: Chris Lacey

Who remembers decorating with this?

We love a spectacular sunrise, and Seaton Delaval Hall certainly delivered this week! Photo by House Volunteer, Gary

This cliffside space is the very first piece of land ever donated to the National Trust. This is Dinas Oleu in Wales. In 1895, the 4.5 acre space was generously donated by Mrs Fanny Talbot to us, ensuring it would remain protected for everyone, for ever. Photos: John Miller

Alt text advent, day 10 baby! Please enjoy this round fren and delightful alt text courtesy of our pals at @nationaltrust.org.uk Photo credit: National Trust Images/Derek Hatton

When it’s grey outside and you just want to stay wrapped up in bed. Photo: Ickworth Estate

A top tier bench spot for a winter view! Photo: Colley Hill in Surrey, by John Miller

Ever seen a seal try to chase a seagull before? Well you have now!

Dunster Castle's team of staff and volunteers have been snipping, twisting, and tying natural foliage from the gardens into spectacular festive displays. Together their Christmas garlands stretch as tall as a ten storey building. That's 108ft of garland in total!

Looking for ways to show appreciation for a loved one this Christmas? 🥾 Invite them for a wintry woodland walk ✍ Write them a heartfelt card 🌳 Or dedicate a tree in their name

A unique partnership between the University of Exeter and the National Trust received a prestigious award. The ‘Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive’ partnership was a winner at the Knowledge Exchange UK Awards in the Strategic Partnerships category. @renewbiodiversity.bsky.social

Oh to sleep as deeply as a new-born grey seal pup... Photo: Ian Ward, on a long-lens camera

Biggest bauble ever? This giant decoration is on display at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland - a place of great theatricality and drama!