The National Trust Approach to Garden Conservation

The National Trust's remit is to acquire gardens of international and national significance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. It has generally assumed the role of custodian, focused on revealing what makes each garden special, free to develop or redevelop gardens anew as it sees fit.

This chapter charts the history of the National Trust's approach to garden conservation from its early beginnings to today. Since the late 1940s the Trust has led the way in garden conservation, pioneering its approach based on ever growing practical experience; many owners world-wide now adopt a similar approach.

The chapter concludes with a reminder that a great deal of garden significance has to be recreated and maintained by those on the ground – skilled gardeners. The conservation of gardens is therefore inextricably bound up with the conservation of gardening skills and the success of the former depends on the accomplishments of the latter.

Gardens also need income to survive. The challenge for owners in the coming decades will be balancing external factors and changing circumstances and finding new ways to appeal to new and repeat visitors whose motives for visiting constantly evolve, while retaining the essence of what makes a garden special.