Alan Titchmarsh’s National Trust secrets
Alan Titchmarsh on why he loves the National Trust
NEW DOCUMENTARY Secrets of the National Trust TUESDAY / CHANNEL 5 / 8.00Pm
The second series of Secrets of the National Trust sees Alan Titchmarsh gain access to more magnificent period homes and gardens. Here Alan, 68, shares with TV Times five reasons why he cherishes the charity…
1
It protects over 500 places of interest
All organisations like this take flak from time to time, and the National Trust is no exception. But it is a force for good. Without it, what would have happened to our coastline, national parks and historic houses? If it hadn’t been for the National Trust, most of its 500 places would have been knocked down. It’s up to us to support it. In the 1950s, one stately home was demolished every week!
2
You can step back in time Come to one of the Trust’s properties and you can see how the other half lived in other centuries. But it’s not all about grand houses of the rich and famous.
3
There are also places like the mill that I visited in series one. My mum was a mill worker and I got a feeling of what her life must have been like.
It helps our heritage
The history of these houses is our history. It’s why the Royal Family stands for everybody – we know their lineage right the way back to William the Conqueror. These properties tell our history through other people’s stories.
4
You unearth some quirky characters
People are interested in stories about eccentric aristocrats, and the Trust has plenty – such as Baron de Rothschild at Waddesdon. He was a collector, teetotaller and vegetarian who built a French château in Buckinghamshire!
5
It’s a gardener’s paradise The Trust looks after some wonderful gardens, like Stowe Landscape Garden, which was designed by the famous Capability Brown. I’ve always fancied having Stowe’s Temple of British Worthies in my garden, but I’m sure my wife wouldn’t allow it!
Ian Macewan