Latest news with #NationalTrustImages
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Towns and cities to benefit from £15.5m investment in access to green spaces
Kickstarting the programme, the group announced that 40 towns and cities will receive the first grants, worth a total of £15.5 million, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Portsmouth, Bradford, Fife, Torfaen in Wales and Belfast are among the areas to have been selected for the funding following an application and assessment process that started last autumn. Nature Towns & Cities aims to help places like Bradford create new green spaces for people and nature to thrive (Bradford Council/PA) The money will help local authorities co-design plans with partners and communities for the provision, quality and connectivity of green spaces and nature, such as improving existing parks, planting new wildflower meadows, creating new pocket parks and planting more street trees. It comes as part of the initiative's wider ambitions to mobilise £1 billion of investment into greening across 100 towns and cities from private, philanthropic and public sources over the next decade. Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: 'I am delighted to announce an investment of £15.5 million which will help 40 towns and cities across the UK better plan their urban nature recovery, connecting people and communities to their natural environment in the places they live. 'We have invested over £1 billion in regenerating over 900 urban parks and green spaces over the last 30 years, helping nature thrive in towns everywhere – and this exciting initiative, working with partners right across the UK, will continue to build on this investment and give millions of people better access to nature close to home.' Ravenscraig Park in Fife is among the areas to benefit (National Trust Images/PA) Marian Spain, chief executive of Natural England, said: 'Nature helps us to improve our mental and physical wellbeing, mitigate the impacts of climate change and drive green growth through the creation of spaces for people to connect with nature, making better places for people to live, work and invest. 'Yet for millions of people in urban areas there is no green space within a 15-minute walk of their home. 'We are proud to be part of the Nature Towns and Cities project, helping millions of people enjoy nature and inspire communities to take part in nature recovery.' Hilary McGrady, director general at the National Trust, said: 'By prioritising areas in the greatest need, we aim to help nature, beauty and history spring to life in some of the most nature-deprived places in the country. 'This necessary and targeted support combined with community outreach and excellent resources, will enrich places with green space and contribute to the healthy mind, body and future that people need.' The Nature Towns and Cities initiative will be supported in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland through Natural Resources Wales, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and NatureScot. Pontymoile Canal Basin, Torfaen in Wales (Steve Sayers/National Trust Images/PA) Anthony Hunt, leader of Torfaen County Borough Council in south-east Wales, said: 'We want nature to flourish in Torfaen and for more people to experience its many health and well-being benefits. 'The funding will enable us to work with our communities and partners in new and innovative ways, so that together we can achieve more and make a real difference to nature recovery and keeping our communities healthy.' As part of today's announcement, Birmingham has also been declared the UK's first official 'Nature City', with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) collectively named the first 'Nature Towns'. The coalition said this designation recognises the local authorities' commitment with their partners in those places to transform life for urban communities by providing more and better nature and green space.
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Wales Online
National Trust Cymru invites you to a packed summer of fun
Experience an exhilarating adventure-filled summer at enchanting locations across Wales. Throughout the school holidays National Trust Cymru is providing endless opportunities for fun for all the family*. Whether you're exploring lush gardens, embarking on scenic hikes, or simply enjoying a picnic in the sun, it's the perfect time to create unforgettable memories together. Let laughter fill the air as you connect with nature and each other in beautiful, cherished spaces. Sponsored by Starling Bank, exciting events are taking place, so discover what's happening near you and embrace the great outdoors with family and friends. Dyffryn Gardens, near Cardiff (Image: National Trust Images/Aled Llywelyn) Let the games commence! Head to Dyffryn Gardens this summer to hop, skip and jump your way to being the Dyffryn champion. Find all sorts of games and sports dotted around the gardens including badminton and table tennis, perfect for keeping the whole family entertained. Tredegar House, Newport This summer enjoy an unforgettable trip to the seaside in the heart of Newport, complete with colourful beach huts. Build sandcastles together in the giant sandpit, post a 'seaside postcard' at the mini post office, lounge in a giant deckchair and let your imagination run wild in make-believe spaces. Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire The perfect place to play - The Oak Yard is back for a full summer of family fun. Splash about in water play, make house in 'Sied Dwt' and run wild in the spaces designed with kids in mind. Inside Newton House design your own castle or settle down for a board game or two. Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion This summer Llanerchaeron offers an action packed day for the whole family. Zoom around the estate on balance bikes, explore the grass maze in the walled garden or get to know the animals on the farmyard. Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool (Image: National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra) Enjoy a fun-packed summer's day on the Great Lawn at Powis Castle. Test your speed in a sack race, try your balance on the balance beam or hop like a frog across the lily pad. If you're feeling sporty, challenge your friends and family to a game of football or volleyball. Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire This woodland garden is perfect for a summer day out exploring nature. Enjoy soft archery and games in the meadow every Tuesday before heading up to the sky gazing glade at the top of the woods to watch the clouds float by. Stackpole Estate, Pembrokeshire Spend a day by the Welsh coast this summer with a visit to the Stackpole Estate. Pack a bucket and spade and head for the golden sands of Broad Haven South, go on a self-led trail and tick off the trust's '50 things to do before you're 11¾' as you explore the wildlife-rich lily ponds. Aberdulais, Neath Open from July 24 to August 30 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, little explorers will delight in the outdoor games, craft activities and playing make-believe with a themed dressing-up box. Rhosili, South Gower Coast Keep everyone entertained during the summer holidays and get sporty at Rhosili. Pick from a wide range of games and activities from 10am to 3pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from July 21 to August 31. Discover more exciting days out near you here at *Summer of Play events are free, but normal admission charges apply for each venue. National Trust members and under 5s can enter for free
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Grade I listed landscape gets ‘garden for the future' in face of climate change
The new 'garden for the future' in Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex, is the first major refresh in the historic landscape influenced by the likes of Capability Brown and Humphry Repton, since it was acquired by the conservation charity in 1954. The National Trust said the new planting, designed by RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winning designer Joe Perkins, would follow in the tradition of Sheffield Park and Garden's history as a place of new landscape design and experimental planting. The new garden sits within the wider Grade I listed landscape at Sheffield Park and Garden (National Trust Images/James Dobson/PA) The new garden for the future occupies a half-an-acre corner previously used for propagation of plants, with planting from around the world to showcase to visitors how plants can adapt to different environments. It will also support succession planting plans and future garden developments, the National Trust said as it grapples with the impacts of climate change such as hotter, drier summers and more extreme weather events on its gardens. The trust said significant specimens in the collection at Sheffield Park have suffered with extremes in temperature and rainfall in recent years, and some are nearing the end of their natural life. The new site harks back to Arthur Gilstrap Soames who indulged his passion for horticulture in the 120-acre garden more than a century ago with innovate and bold colour schemes, new plant hybrids and experimental planting of species from around the world. The new garden sits within the wider Grade I listed landscape at Sheffield Park and Garden (National Trust Images/James Dobson/PA) Head gardener Jodie Hilton said: 'The new garden provides an opportunity to engage visitors with a different style of planting, adapted to a different climate and planting environment, than they might see in the rest of the landscape at Sheffield Park, while taking inspiration from the garden surrounding it. 'We hope visitors will take a moment to pause and reflect in nature, in a corner of the landscape that was often overlooked until now.' The new garden includes a dry exotic area planted mostly in raised beds to allow the use of species from sub-alpine habitats of parts of Tasmania, New Zealand, central and southern Chile and southern Argentina. A second area focuses more on southern hemisphere temperate forest, inspired by the mid-altitude hill forests of central Chile and Argentina, with many species originating from the 'Gondwanan' supercontinent which once linked Australasia with South America, Africa, India and Antarctica. And a final area focuses on temperate woodland in a space mostly under the existing tree canopy, with ground covering ferns, shade-tolerant grasses and perennial forget-me-not, along with woodland shrubs such as azalea, the trust said. Once the plants are established, the team behind the garden will begin to test tolerance to drought and extreme temperatures, with planting in raised beds enabling the testing of exotic species and resilience to drier soils. Mr Perkins said resilience was a 'core principle' of the planting scheme. 'Early on, we identified the need for plants which can tolerate both extended periods of drought, and potentially heat, as well as cold winter temperatures. 'We've created different planting habitats which will allow the team to explore plants from around the world that could be better adapted to future conditions. 'From drier raised beds to shadier, wetter woodland planting, we're continuing with Arthur Soames' experimental approach as we tackle the challenges and opportunities that climate change is predicted to bring us,' he said. The garden will test out the resilience of plants to different conditions (National Trust Images/James Dobson/PA) Sheila Das, National Trust head of gardens and parks, said: 'The team at Sheffield Park are bringing huge energy to an already stunning landscape. 'Our gardens never sit still so, to keep enjoying the garden's beauty into the future, we must constantly experiment. She added: 'In the wider garden, the team are looking into how the planting can be adapted for the future and in the garden for the future, visitors can enjoy a brand-new concept that sits well in the landscape but brings something new and inspiring.'
Western Telegraph
09-07-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Grade I listed landscape gets ‘garden for the future' in face of climate change
The new 'garden for the future' in Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex, is the first major refresh in the historic landscape influenced by the likes of Capability Brown and Humphry Repton, since it was acquired by the conservation charity in 1954. The National Trust said the new planting, designed by RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winning designer Joe Perkins, would follow in the tradition of Sheffield Park and Garden's history as a place of new landscape design and experimental planting. The new garden sits within the wider Grade I listed landscape at Sheffield Park and Garden (National Trust Images/James Dobson/PA) The new garden for the future occupies a half-an-acre corner previously used for propagation of plants, with planting from around the world to showcase to visitors how plants can adapt to different environments. It will also support succession planting plans and future garden developments, the National Trust said as it grapples with the impacts of climate change such as hotter, drier summers and more extreme weather events on its gardens. The trust said significant specimens in the collection at Sheffield Park have suffered with extremes in temperature and rainfall in recent years, and some are nearing the end of their natural life. The new site harks back to Arthur Gilstrap Soames who indulged his passion for horticulture in the 120-acre garden more than a century ago with innovate and bold colour schemes, new plant hybrids and experimental planting of species from around the world. The new garden sits within the wider Grade I listed landscape at Sheffield Park and Garden (National Trust Images/James Dobson/PA) Head gardener Jodie Hilton said: 'The new garden provides an opportunity to engage visitors with a different style of planting, adapted to a different climate and planting environment, than they might see in the rest of the landscape at Sheffield Park, while taking inspiration from the garden surrounding it. 'We hope visitors will take a moment to pause and reflect in nature, in a corner of the landscape that was often overlooked until now.' The new garden includes a dry exotic area planted mostly in raised beds to allow the use of species from sub-alpine habitats of parts of Tasmania, New Zealand, central and southern Chile and southern Argentina. A second area focuses more on southern hemisphere temperate forest, inspired by the mid-altitude hill forests of central Chile and Argentina, with many species originating from the 'Gondwanan' supercontinent which once linked Australasia with South America, Africa, India and Antarctica. And a final area focuses on temperate woodland in a space mostly under the existing tree canopy, with ground covering ferns, shade-tolerant grasses and perennial forget-me-not, along with woodland shrubs such as azalea, the trust said. Once the plants are established, the team behind the garden will begin to test tolerance to drought and extreme temperatures, with planting in raised beds enabling the testing of exotic species and resilience to drier soils. Mr Perkins said resilience was a 'core principle' of the planting scheme. 'Early on, we identified the need for plants which can tolerate both extended periods of drought, and potentially heat, as well as cold winter temperatures. 'We've created different planting habitats which will allow the team to explore plants from around the world that could be better adapted to future conditions. 'From drier raised beds to shadier, wetter woodland planting, we're continuing with Arthur Soames' experimental approach as we tackle the challenges and opportunities that climate change is predicted to bring us,' he said. The garden will test out the resilience of plants to different conditions (National Trust Images/James Dobson/PA) Sheila Das, National Trust head of gardens and parks, said: 'The team at Sheffield Park are bringing huge energy to an already stunning landscape. 'Our gardens never sit still so, to keep enjoying the garden's beauty into the future, we must constantly experiment. She added: 'In the wider garden, the team are looking into how the planting can be adapted for the future and in the garden for the future, visitors can enjoy a brand-new concept that sits well in the landscape but brings something new and inspiring.'
Wales Online
29-06-2025
- Wales Online
This unusual golden Welsh beach has sand like nowhere else in the country
This unusual golden Welsh beach has sand like nowhere else in the country - it sings This beautiful beach has a surprising quirk Its owner, the National Trust, admits it is 'one of our most perfect beaches in Wales'. (Image: John Millar/National Trust Images ) We're spoiled for choice for beautiful beaches in Wales, especially on the Llŷn Peninsula or Pen Llŷn, located in northwest Wales. This area is packed with natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and dreamy beaches, including one with a sweep of golden sand and a bizarre quirk. The peninsula is home to some of Wales' most picturesque beaches. There is a range of sandy beaches to explore, from family and dog-friendly coves to surfing hotspots. Llanbedrog beach, which stretches for over a mile, is now owned by the National Trust, while Porth Neigwl beach, also known as Hell's Mouth, is very popular with surfers and water sports fans. The Llŷn Peninsula, or Pen Llŷn, is located in northwest Wales and is packed with natural beauty (Image: Portia Jones ) One of my favourite beaches is Traeth Porthor, managed by the National Trust. This dreamy beach is famous for its 'whistling sands' and glistening waters on the northern side of the Llŷn Peninsula. Article continues below Traeth Porthor has its special feature, which means it is known by another, more commonly used name: 'Whistling Sands'. It is popular with so-called "sound tourists" due to the unusual 'whistling noise' the granules make underfoot when you walk over the sand. There are only two European beaches where you can experience this off-beat phenomenon and listen to the rolling waves and squeaking sand. Traeth Porthor has its special feature, which means it is known by another, more commonly used name: 'Whistling Sands'. (Image: Amelia Shaw ) It's not really a whistle, North Wales Live reports, unless perhaps the sound carries on the wind. It's more like a squeak, like cleaning a drying window. No one is quite sure why Porthor's sands make their distinctive noise. The prevailing theory seems to be that the sand has to have certain features. They must be spherical, with no sharp edges, and contain quartz and silica. The sand must also have just the right humidity level for best results. Aside from squeaky sand, Porthor is the perfect place for swimming, a coastal stroll or a picnic. But whether you care about squeaky sand or not, Traeth Porthor is a lush spot for a coastal walk or swim and should still be on your list of must-visit Welsh beaches. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Its owner, the National Trust, admits it is 'one of our most perfect beaches in Wales'. For our guide to the best beaches in Wales, go here. The trust operates a car park (charges apply) from which a path leads down to grassy cliffs offering spectacular views. From here, you can peer over to the next bay with a waterfall before heading down to the beach. It can be steep in parts. Rock pools at either end of the bay bracket the sweep of golden sand. Offshore seals are a common sight, but dolphins are less so. You may be lucky. Most visitors love it, with one reviewer calling it 'the stuff of dreams'. You can follow a National Trust walk along this rugged coastline to discover more of the region's history. Its owner, the National Trust, admits it is 'one of our most perfect beaches in Wales'. (Image: John Millar/National Trust Images ) From the walk, you can spot two islands - Dinas Bach ('small stronghold') and Dinas Fawr ('large stronghold') - that were thought to have been fortified sites during the Iron Age, some 2,000 years ago. Today, they're mostly populated by grey seals, so look for them bobbing in the water. Cast your eyes further along the coastline, and you'll see the 191-metre-high peak of Mynydd Anelog. A circular tower at the top of the hill above Carreg Farm was used as a lookout point during World War II. Back at the beach, there's a shop for refreshments and a toilet, but they are generally open during summer. A bakery, café, chip shop, and pub are nearby in Aberdaron, just a few miles down the road. Article continues below Location: Porthor, Aberdaron, Gwynedd, LL53 8LG
