It’s 125 years since a certain redoubtable trio – social reformer Octavia Hill, solicitor Robert Hunter, and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley – met in London, at the office of the Commons Preservation Society. The three came from very different backgrounds. Octavia had inherited from both her parents a sense of responsibility for the less privileged in society; but her father’s devastating bankruptcy had been compounded by his idealism and radical views. Octavia was far more of a realist.
Canon Rawnsley, a Lake District clergyman, was a staunch campaigner for good causes above and beyond his parish remit. And Sir Robert Hunter, distinguished Solicitor to the Post Office, was possessed of a sound legal brain. What united them all was a fierce desire to counteract the 19th century’s thundering ‘progress’ through some of the most beautiful swathes of England. As railway lines joined isolated beauty spots; as houses began to cover untouched meadows, the three joined forces to create a body that would dedicate itself to protecting historic sites and natural heritage for the benefit of the nation: The National Trust.
Today, the Trust has under its care magnificent stately homes, humble anachronistic properties representing a lost way of life, stupendous gardens, stunning coastline and internationally important swathes of countryside over the length and breadth of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Among them are beautiful, quirky and important Cotswold sites that help to tell the story of the National Trust over its 125 years.
THE HOUSES:
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Cotswold Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Cotswold Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display
Mr Ashbee would approve
In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown
The Cotswolds at war
These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable
Trust in good, local food
‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’
Why Cath is an open book
Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8
From the Cotswolds to the world
Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.
The Wild Hunt
In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills
How Malvern Became Narnia
The spa town and its environs inspired author CS Lewis when he came to write his childhood classic
We are what we eat
Farmer Clifford Freeman is a passionate advocate of local produce. He tells Katie Jarvis why we should find out everything we possibly can about our food
Not so BIRD-BRAINED
Think you know Oxford? I mean, really know Oxford? Until you’ve spent time with its dedicated tour guides, you’ll find you’ve several dodo-sized holes in your knowledge
