National Trust
We have forged a dynamic partnership with the National Trust. Since 2017, we’ve collaborated on projects worth over £8m that conserve nature, promote heritage, and engage communities.
Heritage, beauty and nature
Our partnership with the National Trust is formed on a mutual appreciation of the spaces and places that enrich our lives. Using the latest research, we aim to preserve nature, beauty, and history for everyone to enjoy – today and for years to come.
Our work together has always had a strong focus on people and their engagement and access to heritage, beauty and nature.
We’re proud to share our latest joint efforts including research, engagement projects, and work with students.
As we look to the future, we’re eager to support the Trust’s 2025–2030 strategy and continue our meaningful partnership.
Contemporary art and heritage
We have many collaborations on pioneering projects in contemporary art and heritage. Explore how visual art can be commissioned for heritage sites, and how to navigate the challenges this brings.
Key outcomes from our work together are:
- innovating and interpreting art within heritage settings
- exploring under-representation and equity
- initiating international collaborative network
Hadrian's Wall and Sycamore Gap
Newcastle University and the National Trust have a long history of collaboration at the UNESCO inscribed 80-mile Wall. Key outcomes of our work together are:
- helping volunteers to preserve the wall - discover how in this blog
- archaeological monitoring efforts
- public engagement for Sycamore Gap
After the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree in September 2023, we worked together on a swift technical response. This work included our geospatial engineering researchers working with Leica Geosystems. They captured an accurate record of the felled tree and surroundings.
We're continuing to work on outputs following the public response to the felling. This includes artists' exhibitions and film commissions.
Emerging work
Our projects continue to flourish and evolve through a strong focus on equity and engagement. Two emerging projects are:
Beyond the Curtain
This project brings together an interdisciplinary body of researchers from our Centre for Children and Youth and colleagues from the National Trust and Children North East. It explores how best to enable equity of access for young people to nature, heritage, and beauty.
Ageing Well Across the Life Course
Aligning closely with the National Trust’s ‘Everyone Welcome’ ambitions, this initial study focusses on intergenerational activities and potential innovations in this area. The project is supported by our Centre for Ageing and Inequalities.
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Images used on this page (top-bottom):
- Rockpooling on the beach at Lindisfarne Castle. © National Trust / John Millar
- The Orangery Urns by Andrew Barton at Gibside, Tyne and Wear. © National Trust / Frances Warnell
- Hadrian's Wall. Adobe Stock #163457457
- A family exploring the meadow in August at Gibside, Tyne and Wear. © National Trust / Paul Harris
- Lindisfarne Castle. Credit: Graeme Peacock.