The National Trust is a conservation organisation that protects historic sites and green spaces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1895 and has since become one of the largest conservation organisations in the world. The trust looks after over 500 historic houses, castles, and ancient monuments, as well as 250,000 hectares of land, including countryside, coastlines, and villages. Its collection includes iconic sites such as Stonehenge, the White Cliffs of Dover, and the Giant's Causeway, as well as lesser-known gems like the medieval monastery of Fountains Abbey and the 18th-century landscape garden of Stowe. The trust also cares for large areas of countryside, including the Lake District, the Peak District, and the South Downs, providing access to open spaces for recreation and relaxation.