Message from the Chair and Director-General

It is with great pleasure that we present the National Trust’s Annual Report and Accounts 2022–23.

As it always has, the Trust will rise to meet the challenges of the present age, which today include climate change, nature loss, economic stress, and community resilience. We have achieved much for nature, beauty and history and as we look ahead we will continue to act in the best interests of the nation’s future generations.

René Olivieri, Chair

This year we have given more focus to looking forward and making sure that the National Trust, and all that we look after on behalf of the nation, is here for generations to come.

Our conservation work is as important as it ever has been, and it’s thanks to the growing levels of support that we are able to continue carrying out this work, which is at the heart of our charitable purpose.

There have been challenges along the way. Over the last year, many of us have been affected by significant cost-of-living increases, and as a charity we have also felt the effects. 

But, overall, we are faring well and focusing on how we are delivering the three pillars of our 21st-century mission:

The act of preservation  
How we deliver benefit to the nation
The promotion of our cause

Over the last year, many of us have been affected by significant cost-of-living increases, and as a charity we have also felt the effects. 

But, overall, we are faring well and focusing on how we are delivering the three pillars of our 21st-century mission:

The act of preservation  
How we deliver benefit to the nation
The promotion of our cause

Preservation

We are here to look after the past, whether it is conserving historic buildings, revealing archaeological sites or supporting urban heritage projects.

We invested over £179.6 million in conservation projects during 2022–23. That equates to 65% of our total project spend of £279 million (a record level). From repairing the roof of Castle Drogo, Devon, to the restoration of the historic maze at Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall, protecting the historic places you love is at the heart of what we do.

We have also been investing in looking after nature and the countryside and tackling biodiversity loss by creating and restoring wildlife habitats. Our teams have faced huge challenges with the devastating damage caused by Storm Arwen, extreme summer heat, and the heartbreaking job of managing avian influenza (bird flu) on the Farne Islands in Northumberland.

Climate change continues to be the single biggest threat to the landscapes and historic sites that we care for, and playing our part in tackling climate harm is more important than ever.

René Olivieri, Chair

protecting the historic places you love is at the heart of what we do.

Climate change continues to be the single biggest threat to the landscapes and historic sites that we care for, and playing our part in tackling climate harm is more important than ever.

Purpose

It is the Trust’s duty to promote the preservation of beautiful places and provide benefit for the nation. Some people want to dive deep into collections of paintings or furniture, others love gardens, and some want to meet friends over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Our task is to try to serve everyone – and that’s not always easy.

We are here for everyone, but we know from research that there are still some barriers to engaging with the Trust and we’re working hard to overcome them.

We are stepping up our work with young people, offering more people the opportunity to experience places free of charge and making a difference to where people live and work. We are also bringing nature closer to people by creating green corridors to connect cities and countryside.

This year, we have faced staff shortages and supply chain issues. We know this has been frustrating at times, so thank you for bearing with us as we worked through these challenges.

gardens, and some want to meet friends over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Our task is to try to serve everyone – and that’s not always easy.

We are here for everyone, but we know from research that there are still some barriers to engaging with the Trust and we’re working hard to overcome them.

This year, we have faced staff shortages and supply chain issues. We know this has been frustrating at times, so thank you for bearing with us as we worked through these challenges.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General

Promotion

By engaging everyone with heritage and the

natural world, we hope to encourage more people get involved with conservation, wherever they live.

Our #BlossomWatch celebrations were bigger than ever this year and helped us to promote the beauty and nature on people’s doorsteps.

We are standing up for our cause, doing what is necessary to protect the nature, landscapes and heritage that people love. You can read more about this later in the report.

The Trust was proud to take part in the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. We were delighted to celebrate the Queen’s service and dedication to the country. And when Her Majesty passed away in September, people came to the places we look after to find solace and reflect on her extraordinary life.

Looking forward

We know that the year ahead isn’t going to be easy. But in challenging times people need places of respite, beauty and joy more than ever – and people need the certainty of knowing we are still here caring for the places that are important to them.

We all need to do more for nature, which is why in April 2023 we launched our first joint campaign with fellow charities WWF and the RSPB. Together we called for an immediate end to the destruction of nature in the UK and urgent action for its recovery.

places of respite, beauty and joy more than ever – and people need the certainty of knowing we are still here caring for the places that are important to them.

The truth is, every one of us, no matter who we are, or where we live, can and must play a part in restoring nature. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless by the scale of the issues facing our planet, but we have the solutions. I am hopeful for the future, because although nature is in crisis, now is the time for action, and together we can save it.

Sir David Attenborough

Together with our supporters, we are shaping the next chapter of the Trust’s story and bringing history, beauty and nature to everyone – now and for ever.

René Olivieri, Chair
26 July 2023

Hilary McGrady, Director-General
26 July 2023

Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen meant so much to people both in this country and around the world. Her towering leadership and unshakeable integrity were sources of pride and inspiration for generations of people. She selflessly devoted her life to public and voluntary service while championing prominent issues including the preservation of the environment.

The nation mourned a Queen who had been a central part of life in the United Kingdom for so long. Many of our visitors signed books of condolence while finding solace at the places we look after, which offered space for reflection on Her Majesty’s life of service.

For 70 years we were honoured to welcome Her Majesty to a variety of places in our care, most recently Trelissick, Cornwall, The Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim, and Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd.

To celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Trust in 1995, The Queen generously hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace. And, of course, many places joined in with national celebrations for Her Majesty including the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.

Our deepest condolences were sent to His Majesty the King, and the Royal Family.