On 1 May 1979, the Cosford site was opened at RAF Cosford, one of the RAF stations which had been used to store the museum's collection of aircraft.

The Cosford site includes several developmental aircraft such as those that led to the English Electric Lightning and the second prototype of the BAC TSR-2. A lot of the aircraft are very rare, such as the only Boulton Paul Defiant in the world and one of only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world.

Alongside the aircraft are free exhibitions, flight-related memorabilia and interactive displays.

In Hangar 1, you will find the Chinook ‘Bravo November’ which played a vital role in British military operations during the Falklands campaign. You will be able to see her alongside other Falklands artefacts including the Harrier GR3 and the ‘Black Buck’ Vulcan B2 as well as the 1:1 scale Airfix Spitfire - which was featured on BBC2's James May Toy Stories - complete with a model pilot.

Powis Castle, built around 1200 as a medieval fortress, sits high on a rock above its world-famous garden. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, the garden is overhung with clipped yews and shelters rare and tender plants. It retains original lead statues and features an orangery on the terraces.

Remodelled and embellished over more than 400 years, Powis reflects the changing ambitions of the Herbert family, who occupied the Castle from the 1570s. Each generation enlisted artists to grow the family’s collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries on view throughout the house.

One of the UK’s most significant collections of Indian objects is displayed in the Clive Museum at Powis Castle. As major figures in Britain’s colonial East India Company, Robert Clive and his son Edward (later 1st Earl of Powis) looted many of these objects during their seizure of power in India and Myanmar and violent subsequent rule in the 18th century. Clive wealth amassed through the East India Company remained at Powis, contributing to later modernisation of the Castle and Gardens that transformed Powis to how it exists today.

Nestled within the Warwickshire / Oxfordshire border, Upton houses a treasured art gallery showcasing the fine collections of Old Master and British pictures including Bosch, El Greco and Canaletto.

Lord Bearsted purposefully redesigned and extended the original honey coloured house to best display his cherished art and rare French and English Chelsea porcelain.

Lady Bearsted turned her attention to the gardens and commissioned one of the first professional female garden designers Kitty Lloyd-Jones to improve them for leisure and pleasure. The topography is distinctive with steep terraces parallel to the house tumbling down into the ice age valley. 

Highlights include the Wild Garden and Herbaceous Borders, Mirror Pool and South Lawn eclipsed by the magnificent Cedars.

Remodelled for recreation and relaxation, the house, collections and gardens are largely as they were in their heyday from the 1930s.

This amazing Victorian garden was created by James Bateman for his collection of plants from around the world. A visit takes you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Victorian vision of China and a re-creation of a Himalayan glen.

The garden features collections of rhododendrons, summer bedding displays, a stunning Dahlia Walk and the oldest surviving golden larch in Britain, brought from China in the 1850s.

The Geological Gallery shows how Bateman's interests went beyond botany. Opened in 1862 the unique hallway is a Victorian attempt to reconcile geology and theology.

Explore this French Renaissance-style château built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1874 to entertain the fashionable world and to house his collection of fine art. We're continuing the tradition today of entertainment and hospitality with events celebrating food and wine, and opportunities for you to explore our history, collections and gardens through changing exhibitions and special interest days.

Step back in time in the Victorian style gardens, gaze at flamboyant colours on the parterre amid the ornate fountains and statuary. Hear the rare and exotic birds calling from the roccoco style Aviary found in the heart of the gardens. Alternatively spend a fun filled day with the family, and have an adventure in the woodland playground which winds through the trees, making use of the natural environment to create a magical area to play.

Snowshill is a place like no other: a world away from ordinary and the unconventional home of the eccentric Charles Wade. In an idyllic Cotswolds setting he used architectural and theatrical techniques to dramatic effect and produced an experience like no other. Snowshill is a place filled with colour and intrigue, a delight to the senses. 

The garden is an extension of the manor set out in a series of rooms with far reaching views and unexpected delights including Wolf's Cove model village. 

Generations of the Brownlow family made their mark on Belton, commissioning the finest designers and craftsmen of their age to shape Belton Estate. The house and gardens showcase cutting edge design and innovation, from 17th century sash windows to a cast iron-framed conservatory in the Italian Garden, made possible thanks to the Industrial Revolution. 

Belton House contains impressive art, silver, and porcelain collections, as well as a world-renowned library. Outside there is a deer park, pleasure grounds, and formal gardens of Dutch and Italian design.

Today, Belton welcomes new generations to explore the ancient deer park, picnic in the pleasure grounds, or burn off energy in the National Trust's largest outdoor adventure playground.

A country retreat in the heart of Worcestershire. The house and garden, originally a stage-set for summer parties, offer a glimpse into life at the turn of the 18th century.

Don't miss the original wall-paintings by Sir James Thornhill. Full of drama and politics, they show the birth of Georgian society.

The original formal gardens, designed by George London, have been faithfully re-created and complement the relaxed later gardens, with orangery, orchards and walled garden. If you venture further afield, our walks leaflet will help you find George London’s visionary Semicircle in the parkland - the beginning of the landscape movement.

Coughton Court is the home of the Throckmorton family who have lived at Coughton since 1409. John de Throckmorton, Under Treasurer of England to Henry VI, acquired Coughton in the early 15th Century through his marriage to Eleanor de Spiney. Their descendants have held it for 600 years and, although the National Trust has owned the house since 1946, the family still live here. The present resident, Mr Magnus Birch-Throckmorton, and his family enjoy occupancy of the house under a 300 year lease.

The origins of Coughton Court lie in pre-conquest times and there is evidence of a house on this site from the 14th Century. The present building was begun in the 15th Century and has since survived in a family who for much of that time were impoverished, persecuted or imprisoned for their adherence to the Catholic faith.

The culmination of a lifetime of dreams: salvaged objects and exotic pieces come together in a Jacobean meets Edwardian style. Beautiful, homely, warm and welcoming. We can't put it better than a visitor in the 1920s did: A house to dream of, a garden to dream in.

The house was originally built in the 16th century, yet its interiors were extensively restored between the First and Second World Wars by Graham Baron Ash to create a fascinating 20th-century evocation of domestic Tudor architecture.

Packwood House contains a fine collection of 16th-century textiles and furniture, and the gardens have renowned herbaceous borders and a famous collection of yews.

Baddesley Clinton was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years.

Much of the house you see today was built by Henry Ferrers, a lawyer, diarist and antiquarian, in the late 1500s.

The house was a sanctuary not only for the Ferrers family, but also for persecuted Catholics who were hidden from priest hunters in its secret hiding places during the 1590s.

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world's largest military air show, held annually in July at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. The show typically attracts a total of 150,000 to 200,000 spectators over the weekend.

RIAT 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s first flight, and with over 4,600 airframes manufactured over the last five decades, the aircraft has become one of the most successful combat jets in history.  To celebrate this, the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 hosted a global celebration of the F-16 Fighting Falcon in conjunction with Lockheed Martin.  The focal point being a static line-up of F-16's from around the world and of course impressive flying demonstrations of the F-16.

Kedleston Hall is an extravagant temple to the arts designed by the architect Robert Adam. Commissioned in the 1750s by Nathaniel Curzon whose ancestors had resided at Kedleston since the 12th century. The house is framed by historic parkland and boasts opulent interiors intended to impress.

Designed for lavish entertaining, Kedleston Hall displays an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture and original furnishings, reflecting both the tastes of its creators and their fascination with the classical world of the Roman Empire.

From spring to autumn Kedleston’s formal garden offers a colourful interpretation of its original 18th century design. The expansive grounds with both long and short walks, feature sweeping vistas of Kedleston’s parkland and provide access to a rich array of wildlife.

For nearly 400 years the estate was the property of the Egerton family until it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1958. It is now financed and maintained by Cheshire East Council. This is one of the most complete historic estates open to visitors. The 18th-century mansion sits amid a landscaped deer park and is opulently decorated, providing a fine setting for the Egerton family's extensive collections. The theme of Victorian grandeur extends into the garden with its glasshouses, formal gardens, Italian and Japanese gardens.

There is so much to see and do and with over 100 events each year, it makes for one of the most popular family days out in the North West. Enjoy speciality shops, the Stables Restaurant and Gardener's Cottage Tea Room. Take a visit to Tatton Dale Farm, the picture of rural life, where time has stood still since the 1930s and traditional breeds are still resident. Children can explore the adventure play area, woodland play trail and den building zone.

Nestling on the edge of the Peak District, Lyme was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday a great sporting estate.

The 1,400 acre estate with its medieval herd of red deer offers fantastic walks and stunning views.

For a tranquil walk explore the elegant Rose Garden, Ravine Garden or the luxurious herbaceous borders next to the reflecting lake where a certain Mr Darcy met Miss Bennet in the BBC production of 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Head in to the house to step back in time to the Regency era - a time which saw great rejuvenation for Lyme.

With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate. The house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story.

Discover powerful stories of a family who amassed a vast collection of hidden treasures. Visit the beautiful, yet faded walled gardens and explore the orangery, auricula theatre and the kitchen gardens. Escape into the ancient and fragile habitats of Calke Park and its National Nature Reserve.

Don't miss...

• The stunning state silk bed, erected for the first time in 1985 after lying undiscovered since the 18th century

• Spot the ‘Old Man of Calke’, a 1,200 year old oak tree

• Visit the red and fallow deer in their restored enclosure

• Explore the Tramway Trail by bike or by foot

• Stroll through the pleasure grounds to the flower garden with its unique auricula theatre

In 1937 Geoffrey Mander, a local paint manufacturer and Liberal MP, did something remarkable – he persuaded the National Trust to accept a house for the nation that was just 50 years old.

Geoffrey had inherited Wightwick in 1900, a house designed in an ‘Old English’ style by Midlands architect Edward Ould and built for his parents, Theodore and Flora Mander, between 1887–1893. 

While they lived in the house, Theodore and Flora took inspiration from Oscar Wilde’s lecture on 'the House Beautiful'; as a result, the interiors reflect Wilde’s commitment to the principles of the Aesthetic Movement and the ideals of ‘art for art’s sake’. Wilde’s influence can be seen in the collection of objects from Japan and China and the designs of William Morris and his British Arts and Crafts contemporaries.

Home to the Anson family since 1624, it was once described as ‘a perfect paradise’. Visit this important piece of Staffordshire's heritage for a full day of discoveries.

The stories of Shugborough are entangled with the exploits and interests of two brothers, Thomas and George Anson. Their fortunes and their social position shaped Shugborough; understanding the origins of their power helps us to interpret the ideas and materials which flooded into Britain throughout the 18th century, furnishing homes, forging fashions and changing culture.

You can explore sweeping parkland, ancient woodland and a landscape peppered with monuments. See seasonal blooms in the formal gardens, or produce in the walled garden. Head over to Park Farm to see Dorking chickens, and say hello to the animals, such as Longhorn cows and Southdown sheep that roam around in the fields.

In the Georgian mansion, unearth unusual treasures and experience life 'below stairs' in the servant's quarters, then enter a world of glamour and royalty in the apartments of Patrick Lichfield, 5th Earl and fashion photographer.

Overlooking the river Avon on the edge of Shakespeare’s Stratford, Charlecote Park has been part of this corner of rural Warwickshire for centuries. Still the Lucy family home after 900 years, you can explore the vision of the Victorian owners George Hammond Lucy and his wife, the formidable Mary Elizabeth, who extended their home and filled it with treasures from their European travels.

Linger in the rooms open to our visitors in the central portion of the house to discover more about the collection brought together by generations of the family whose tastes, lifestyle and varied fortunes are all reflected here

Today, the kitchen is brought to life in cooking and costume. Across the courtyard you can explore the laundry and brewhouse which once hummed with the activity of a busy working estate. Discover the stables which house the family’s carriage collection, each with its own story to tell.

Stroll through the gardens that Mary Elizabeth loved so dearly, from the formal parterre to the shady woodland garden with rare plants and borders full of colourful herbaceous planting.

Crich Tramway Village is a family visitor attraction and home to the National Tramway Museum.

The National Tramway Museum is a tram museum located at Crich, Derbyshire, England. The museum contains over 60 trams built between 1873 and 1982 and is set within a recreated period village containing a working pub, café, old-style sweetshop, tram depots, children's play area, exhibitions and Workshop Viewing Gallery.

Take a trip back in time and ride vintage trams into the open countryside and stroll through an enchanting Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail. 

The Crich Tramway Village remains an independent charity, which receives no funding from the state or local government and relies on the voluntary contribution made by members of the Tramway Museum Society and its visitors.

Home to the Anson family since 1624, it was once described as ‘a perfect paradise’. Visit this important piece of Staffordshire's heritage for a full day of discoveries.

The stories of Shugborough are entangled with the exploits and interests of two brothers, Thomas and George Anson. Their fortunes and their social position shaped Shugborough; understanding the origins of their power helps us to interpret the ideas and materials which flooded into Britain throughout the 18th century, furnishing homes, forging fashions and changing culture.

You can explore sweeping parkland, ancient woodland and a landscape peppered with monuments. See seasonal blooms in the formal gardens, or produce in the walled garden. Head over to Park Farm to see Dorking chickens, and say hello to the animals, such as Longhorn cows and Southdown sheep that roam around in the fields.

In the Georgian mansion, unearth unusual treasures and experience life 'below stairs' in the servant's quarters, then enter a world of glamour and royalty in the apartments of Patrick Lichfield, 5th Earl and fashion photographer.

A spectacular Elizabethan house filled with rich furnishings and tapestries preserved by successive generations of the Devonshire family.

It was the formidable 'Bess of Hardwick' who first built the house and developed the surrounding estate in the late 1500s. Her descendants, the Dukes of Devonshire, treasured Hardwick, while lavishing much of their attention and money on nearby Chatsworth. Their success – intimately associated with empire over 400 years and across the globe – preserved Hardwick, and their interests elsewhere saved it from significant alteration.

In the 20th century, keenly aware of Hardwick’s great significance and unique appeal, the Devonshires ensured that this remarkable building was passed on to the nation with its Elizabethan splendour intact.

Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts garden in the north Cotswolds, a stone’s throw from Stratford-upon-Avon. Created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston its colourful and intricately designed outdoor ‘rooms’ are always full of surprises. It’s a must-see if you’re on holiday in the Cotswolds.

Explore the maze of narrow paved pathways and discover secret gardens, magnificent vistas and plants that burst with colour. Many of the plants found growing in the garden were collected from Johnston’s many plant hunting trips to far away places. It’s the perfect place if you’re in need of gardening inspiration.

Meander through the intricate gardens and into the Wilderness. This secluded stretch of tall trees is just right for a picnic. Take a glimpse beyond the boundary and see the garden blend effortlessly into the countryside beyond.

The 56 acre arboretum at Batsford is situated just a mile west of the historic market town of Moreton in Marsh in the heart of the Cotswolds.

A former home to the famous Mitford family, interest in the arboretum begins in late winter when the snowdrops, aconites and early flowering daffodils spring into life, followed by magnolias, hellebores, fritillaries and the beautiful Japanese ornamental cherries – stars of the show from late March until mid April. The handkerchief tree is another show-stopper in May, as are the beautiful wildflower meadows which bloom in high summer.

Don’t miss nature’s natural fireworks spectacular in autumn as the Japanese maples give the performance of their lives, with colours ranging from butter gold to bright reds and salmon pinks. Whatever time of year you visit, the plant centre and garden shop offer a wide range of beautiful plants and gardening sundries and there’s a range of unique gifts available in the Arboretum shop too.

Ladybower Reservoir is a large Y-shaped reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley, at the heart of the Peak District National Park. The reservoir was built between 1935 and 1943, and was officially opened by King George VI on 24th September 1945.

Ladybower was a very attractive location for the storage of water, with its long deep valley and narrow points for dam building. This, combined with the high average rainfall, low population level and heavy demand for water from the industrial towns that surrounded the Peak District, made the case for the reservoir to be constructed.

The villages of Derwent and Ashopton were flooded to create Ladybower Reservoir and the inhabitants were relocated to Yorkshire Bridge estate, just downstream of Ladybower Dam.

During the 1990s, the wall of the Dam was raised and strengthened to reduce the risk of 'over-topping' in a major flood.