Wordsworth House and Garden, in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, is the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William and his sister Dorothy.

It is presented as it would have been when they lived here with their parents, three brothers and servants in the 1770s.

Today, this homely Georgian townhouse is peopled by our knowledgeable 21st-century guides and, on selected dates, the maid-of-all-work is in the kitchen – and keen to chat.

There is real food on the dining table, a fire burning in the working kitchen and a recipe William and Dorothy might have eaten for you to taste. Ink and quill pens are ready in the clerk’s office, and if you play the piano, you might like to try our replica harpsichord.

The children’s bedroom is full of toys and dressing up clothes, and down in the cellar, the household’s ghosts are waiting to tell their stories.

Our exhibition rooms house a changing programme of displays. In the discovery room, there is a permanent exhibition about William’s Lakeland legacy and his key role in the founding of the National Trust, along with family games and activities.

The garden is packed with 18th-century vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers, just as it would have been when he played – and learned his love of nature – here.

The Brownes of Townend in the Troutbeck Valley were just an ordinary farming family: but their home and belongings bring to life more than 400 years of extraordinary stories. As you approach Townend – a traditional Lake District stone and slate farmhouse, you’ll understand why Beatrix Potter described Troutbeck Valley as her favourite.

Once inside, you are welcomed into the farmhouse kitchen with a real fire –  burning most afternoons –  and a quirky collection of domestic tools. Throughout the house, intricately carved furniture provides a window into the personality of George Browne. The library contains the family’s well-used collection of books, including 45 that are the only remaining copies in the world. Outside, the colourful cottage-style garden is a lovely place to while away some time among the flowers.

Be wowed by the Tudor Great Hall with its fantastic furniture, arms, armour, tapestries and the carved oak screen, a rare survivor from the 1500s. History springs to life in the Hesketh’s dining room, its food-laden table, lit candles and ‘fire in the hearth’ waiting to welcome the family’s dinner guests.

And did Shakespeare spend a short time here in his youth? There’s reasonable evidence to suggest that he could once have known Rufford’s Great Hall for a few months whilst still in his teens. Ask us about the evidence and decide for yourself!

Then relax as you stroll through Rufford’s Victorian and Edwardian gardens – and remember you’re only a few feet (or metres) above sea level – making Rufford one of the lowest lying National Trust gardens in England.

Welcome to Lyme. Nestling on the edge of the Peak District, Lyme was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday a great sporting estate.

Step back in time to the Regency era – a time which saw great rejuvenation for Lyme. Enjoy lavish interiors, try out the billiards table in the Long Gallery, read a book in the library, or visit our Dressing Room to try on the finest Regency regalia.

The 1,400 acre estate with its medieval herd of red deer offers fantastic walks and stunning views.

For a more tranquil walk explore the elegant Rose Garden, Ravine Garden or the luxurious herbaceous borders next to the reflecting lake where a certain Mr Darcy met Miss Bennet in the BBC production of ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

Children can let off steam in Crow Wood Playscape with its giant slide, badger den and rope walks, whilst the nearby Timberyard Cafe offers delicious hot and cold snacks, soups and range of cakes.

You can view online some of the items that Lyme has in its collection. The site catalogues approximately three-quarters of a million National Trust objects with more being added daily.

Welcome to Dunham Massey. Encircled by its protective wall, Dunham Massey is a green oasis nestled between the urban sprawl of Manchester and rural tranquillity of Cheshire.

While the Georgian house is closed for conservation until March 2018, the park and garden are the ideal place to enjoy the crisp clear days of winter.

A ramble around the park will reveal a range of architectural oddities and views of the house complete with Dunham’s resident herd of fallow deer;; you may also glimpse other wildlife including owls and woodpeckers. Enjoy a guided walk of the deer park, or take the chance to wrap up warm and wander freely amongst groves of ancient trees.

Dunham is also home to one of Britain’s finest winter gardens, with plenty of scent and colour to delight the senses. Relax in the garden and explore its historic features such as the Orangery, Pump House, Victorian Bark House and the remains of an Elizabethan Mount. Snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells provide an ever changing landscape of colours and scents. In summer, see the celebrated rose garden take centre stage.

Unwind on one of the accessible circular walks before treating yourself to a tasty homemade food at the Stables Restaurant or a snack in the visitor centre café and treat yourself at the ice cream parlour. 

Find local Cheshire produce and an extensive garden section complete with plants grown at Dunham Massey at one of the largest National Trust shops in the north.

With special events all year round, there’s plenty to brighten your day at Dunham.

Inside these rooms you can discover this eclectic collection that he restored and displayed. We have maintained the atmospheric settings he created with low lighting and few labels. From tiny toys to Samurai armour, musical instruments to fine clocks, thousands of objects are laid out for you to see just as Mr Wade intended.

The garden is the perfect place to unwind and explore hidden vistas, quiet corners and unexpected delights including Charles Wade’s uncomplicated home, the Priest’s House.

“Let nothing perish” was his motto, and his life was dedicated to doing just that. From the everyday to the extraordinary, you can discover his passion for craftsmanship, colour and design.

Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, a castle has existed here since at least Norman times, with an impressive medieval gatehouse and ruined tower giving a reminder of its turbulent history.

The castle that you see today became a lavish country home during the 19th century for the Luttrell family, who lived here for 600 years.

The castle boasts spectacular views toward the Bristol channel, the Quantock hills and up to the moors of Exmoor.

‘I’ve a hut in a wood near camp wherein I spend my spare evenings’ – the words of the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, about Clouds Hill.

This tiny isolated cottage in the heart of Dorset was the home of an extraordinary man: T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. He furnished the rooms of his rural retreat to his own personal taste and they are much as he left them, giving an insight into the complex personality of the writer, warrior and friend of Thomas Hardy.

Please note: Because the cottage is much as Lawrence left it, we keep light levels low to protect the original contents. This adds to the authentic experience at the cottage, but some visitors may wish to time their visit to take advantage of the longer, lighter days of summer. As many visitors arrive in the first half hour after opening you may find it quieter after 11.30am.