The National Trust is offering thousands of free family passes worth up to £50 to Express Premium subscribers this summer, providing access to some of Britain’s most significant art collections. From 4th-century mosaics at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire to modernist interiors at 2 Willow Road in London, these collections tell a story of art deeply rooted in the landscapes that surround them.
Art and Landscape: A Historic Connection
For centuries, artists have been drawn to the settings preserved by the National Trust. In the 18th century, the rise of the “picturesque” movement, popularised by figures such as William Gilpin, encouraged people to view landscapes as scenes rich with meaning. This inspired a culture of close observation and sketching, a tradition that continues today.
Today, National Trust properties are not only guardians of historic collections but also living spaces where contemporary artists reflect on environment and history. They offer the chance to experience art in the very landscapes that inspired it, showing that heritage and creativity can coexist outside traditional galleries.
Chartwell, Kent: Churchill’s Artistic Legacy
Amid the pressures of leadership, Winston Churchill turned to painting as a source of focus and calm. At Chartwell in Kent, a display this year highlights his passion for painting, featuring personal objects like his painting coat, art materials, and never-before-seen works. The centrepiece is Quiet Waters, a painting never publicly shown in the UK, on loan from The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation in Canada. Created away from the public eye, it depicts a tranquil landscape in muted tones, reflecting Churchill’s remark: “All nature is equally interesting and equally charged with beauty.” The display runs until November 1.
Petworth, Sussex: Turner and Contemporary Ceramics
Petworth is closely associated with JMW Turner, who found inspiration in its collection and parkland. This summer, the estate hosts Expressions in Blue: Monumental Porcelain by British ceramicist Felicity Aylieff. The works, partly inspired by the collection, reimagine traditional Chinese porcelain on an ambitious scale and are displayed throughout the house and park until September 27.
Claydon, Bucks: Contemporary Art in Historic Interiors
At Claydon House, White Cube at Claydon brings internationally renowned artists including Tracey Emin and Antony Gormley into elaborate 18th-century interiors. Sculptures and installations appear unexpectedly in gardens and rooms, inviting visitors to move between past and present. The exhibition runs until September 14.
Red House, London: William Morris’s Creative Retreat
Designed by William Morris in 1860 as a creative retreat in Bexleyheath, Red House became a gathering place for pre-Raphaelite friends. Morris drew inspiration from the gardens, translating hedgerows and flowers into iconic patterns. Visitors can immerse themselves in the birthplace of a philosophy that creativity, craftsmanship, and nature are inseparable.
Flatford, Suffolk: Constable’s Landscape
The landscapes around Flatford, immortalised by John Constable, remain largely unchanged. Marking 250 years since his birth in June 1776, a programme of events this summer invites visitors to step into the same views that inspired his iconic English work. Events run until September.
Dudmaston Hall, Shropshire: Modern Art in a Country House
Dudmaston offers a bold vision shaped by Sir George and Lady Labouchere, who assembled a daring collection of modern art. This summer, Inspired by Nature brings together botanical studies and artworks responding to the surrounding landscape, set against stunning gardens. The exhibition runs until October 31.
Powis Castle, Powys: Global Collections and Gardens
Set above the Severn Valley, Powis Castle pairs dramatic terraces with one of the National Trust’s most internationally significant collections. Its interiors reveal centuries of global exchange, while formal gardens demonstrate how landscape enhances the experience of art.
Dunham Massey, Cheshire: Botanical Art and Sound Installation
Dunham Massey presents The Botanical World of Mary Delany, featuring intricate “paper mosaiks,” alongside historic landscape paintings. A contemporary counterpoint, ORIGIN, is an immersive sound and light installation inspired by natural rhythms. Both run until November 1.
Stourhead, Wiltshire: The Picturesque Landscape
Stourhead’s landscape, described as “a living work of art,” hosts Drawn to Trees by Luke Adam Hawker. Delicate etchings inspired by the Celtic Tree Zodiac explore the symbolism of trees, inviting visitors to consider their relationship with nature. The installation runs until November 1.
Mount Stewart, County Down: Gardens as Art
The gardens at Mount Stewart are designed with a painter’s eye for colour and composition, unfolding as a series of carefully orchestrated ‘rooms’. Reflecting Arts and Crafts principles, they demonstrate how nature can be curated as a living artwork that changes across the year.
