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The National Trust Protects and Preserves  

Founded in 1895, the National Trust cares for 248,000 hectares (612,000 acres) of land, 600 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings and gardens throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a registered charity, the organisation remains completely independent of the government and relies on supporters, membership subscriptions, gifts and legacies for its financial support.

Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, three Victorian philanthropists, established the National Trust out of their concern regarding uncontrolled development and industrialisation. Their goal for the organisation was to acquire, preserve and protect threatened coastline, countryside and buildings.

The Trust’s 4,000 full-time regular staff members, 4,000 seasonal staff members and 38,000 volunteers care for forests, woods, fens, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, nature reserves and villages. Most Trust properties are permanently owned by the organisation and are open to the public. Just a few of the properties include Oxburgh Hall, Lyveden New Bield, Llanerchaeron and Wordsworth House.

In the east of England, Oxburgh Hall, Garden and Estate were built in 1482 by the Bedingfeld Family. A manor house complete with moat and Tudor gatehouse, you can follow the development of the country just by walking through the rooms, from the rough medieval times to the relative comfort of the Victorian age. On your visit, you will see embroidery worked on by Mary, Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick.

At Lyveden New Bield in Peterborough, England, you will find one of the oldest garden designs in Britain and amazing Elizabethan architecture. The garden house and moated garden were started in 1595 by Sir Thomas Tresham. Work stopped when he died in 1605.

For something a little less grand, visit Llanerchaeron in Wales. The small, gentry estate dates back to the 18th century and is almost the same today as when it was established. The property includes a dairy, laundry, brewery, salting house, stables and threshing barns. Still a working farm, Llanerchaeron produces organic fruit and herbs.

William Wordsworth was born in 1770 at the Georgian town house in Cockermouth now known as Wordsworth House. You will even find some of the poet’s belongings in several rooms.

For more information on the National Trust or any of its properties, visit the Trust website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Property information includes admission prices, telephone numbers, maps, etc. You may also read about shopping opportunities, the restaurants and tea rooms and the holiday cottages. 

Set a Few Internet Rules for Children

“Don’t talk to strangers.” It’s long been a piece of advice that parents give to their children. The same words of wisdom may be shared when children log on and enter the unknown abyss of cyberspace. Teach your children to use the Internet wisely. While the vast majority of sites are perfectly safe, there are some that contain sex, violence and other content that is inappropriate for children. Here are some suggested rules for parents to outline for their children before they log on.

• Ask your parents first. Don’t get into the habit of logging on whenever you feel like it.
• If you don’t understand something you see online, tell your parents about it.
• Don’t respond to messages that make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.
• Never give out a credit card or password information while you’re online.
• Never arrange to meet somebody in person whom you have never met before except in cyberspace.
• Finally, there are a number of software programs that will allow you to block certain websites.

— Adapted from the American Library Association website