National Trust Acts

Baroness Thornton Excerpts

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The Government are aware that the trust is working with farmers to restore nature, including those who are tenants on National Trust land. The trust will support the network of farmers across the land to be even bigger players in nature recovery and climate resilience while producing good, healthy food and running sustainable businesses. In the Government’s view, the two are not mutually exclusive.

[Baroness Thornton (Lab)]

My Lords, I think it is a shame that the party opposite chose to make what is a success story of 130 years part of its culture wars. Can my noble friend the Minister tell us whether the Government have welcomed the new strategy of the National Trust, which includes the goal of equality of access to countryside and beauty?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am sure that all noble Lords would agree with one of the co-founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill—herself probably viewed as quite radical at the time—when she said that

“We all want quiet. We all want beauty … we all need space”.


It behoves all of us to support the National Trust in ensuring that there is equality of access to nature and history, by both opening up historic buildings and preserving heritage and our countryside in a way that preserves it for the future.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, in 1895 the visionary Octavia Hill co-founded the National Trust because she believed in the life-enhancing virtues of clean air and blue sky. In 2025, the positive correlation between that exercise and mental and physical well-being is medically proven. However, the latest Government data reveals that well over 40 million people do not have access to a green space a short walk from home. Can the Minister say what the DCMS strategy is to address this urgently?

[Baroness Thornton (Lab)]

Support the National Trust.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

As my noble friend Lady Thornton behind me said, we will support the National Trust. It is important to remember that it is the biggest conservation charity in Europe; the coastline in Wales has been mentioned, and I think that every Member of your Lordships’ House will have their favourite National Trust building and their favourite walk on National Trust land. By working together and with charities such as the National Trust, we will ensure that everybody has access to nature.