The National Trust needs us more than ever

 

When filming Amazing Spaces came to an abrupt halt at the start of lockdown in March, George Clarke found himself at a loose end. “I had a chat with Channel 4 and said, ‘Why don’t we try and get access to the National Trust? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’”  After obtaining permission from the Government, Clarke and his production team went into quarantine prior to the shoot and continued to live together during filming. The resulting six-part series, George Clarke’s National Trust Unlocked, explores some of the charity’s 300-plus historic houses, as well as quirkier properties, gardens and scenic stretches of the 780 miles of coastline that it looks after.

 

“I’ve been a member for years, but it made me appreciate the National Trust even more than I did already. One member of staff said to me,  We haven’t sold any teas or cakes at all for the last few months, and it’s the teas and cakes that pay for the preservation of these buildings and landscapes for millions of people to enjoy.’”  In mid-March, the National Trust had to close all its houses, gardens, car parks, shops and cafés. It expects to lose nearly £200 million this year and last month announced that 1,200 members of staff face redundancy.

 

Clarke hopes the series will remind viewers how much the conservation charity, which marks its 125th anniversary this year, does to protect British heritage. “For less than £1.50 a week, you can become a member and it gives you access to some really wonderful spaces.  I realise I’m in a lucky position and I can afford £1.50 a week, but I am just hoping that people keep their memberships. The National Trust owns thousands of acres of land and gardens and beautiful buildings, and I think we’ll appreciate them even more post-Covid-19.”  The charity is slowly reopening its houses and gardens, but tickets must be booked in advance.

 

So what were Clarke’s favourite discoveries?

 

20TH-CENTURY ROCK HOUSES

“I had no idea the National Trust looked after something as quirky as the Rock Houses at Kinver Edge in Staffordshire,” says Clarke.  “Amazingly, people lived in these primitive caves cut into the sandstone until the 1960s, but they were made to move out because the authorities decided they weren’t fit for habitation. They’re in a lovely spot surrounded by heathland and woodland. In the 1920s and 30s, they became a tourist destination and people travelled from far and wide to visit.” The rock houses are currently closed, but visitors can peek through the windows, and the garden and tearoom are open.

nationaltrust.org.uk/kinver-edge-and-therock-houses

 

A LABYRINTHINE GARDEN

“When you think of the National Trust, you imagine country houses, but I filmed in some gorgeous gardens that weren’t attached to grand houses. My favourite was Hidcote in the Cotswolds: it was designed as a series of rooms in the landscape and each has a completely different atmosphere. Being an architect, I loved that – it was as if the landscape was a piece of architecture.” The Arts and Crafts garden was created by the American horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston, who embarked on planthunting expeditions to Asia, Africa and America. Hidcote is open every day, but booking is essential.

nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote

 

A VICTORIAN HOUSE OF WONDERS

“Cragside was built by the great Victorian engineer and industrialist Lord Armstrong. It was the first house in the world to be powered by hydroelectricity and fitted with incandescent light bulbs. When the switch was flicked and those bulbs came on, it must have been a jawdropping moment. His house was so far ahead of its time; it even had an early version of a dishwasher. It’s also a fantastic Victorian piece of architecture set within a beautiful landscape.”  Cragside is near Rothbury in Northumberland.  The house remains closed, but the gardens, woodland and tearoom are open.

nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside

 

DELIGHTFUL DORSET

“I finish each episode by doing a National Trust walk with Loki, my Siberian husky, and the most spectacular was at Studland Bay in Dorset. We walked to three towering rocks that used to link mainland England to the Isle of Wight thousands of years ago. They’re called Old Harry Rocks, which I just thought was awesome. On another day, we walked to the top of Dorset’s Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast. It was beautiful weather, the sun was setting and sitting at the top with my dog was a magical moment for me.” The Trust’s car parks at Studland Bay and Golden Cap are open with limited spaces.