Revealed: The weird and wonderful National Trust properties hidden in your hometown - from a 16-sided feminist cottage to the home of the original Goldfinger
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Exactly 130 years ago to the very day, three Victorians formed a new organisation to protect England's historic buildings and natural beauty spots. Concerned by the rapid rate of industrialization, social reformer Octavia Hill, solicitor Sir Robert Hunter and clergyman Hardwicke Rawnsley incorporated their venture on January 12, 1895 – and the National Trust was born.
![[Sir Robert Hunter with his daughter (both centre) are pictured with fellow National Trust founder Hardwicke Rawnsley (right) and a friend (left) in the Lake District around 1900. Not pictured is the third founder, social reformer Octavia Hill]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/14/93959981-14267043-image-m-35_1736519766767.jpg)
Within a few weeks, the National Trust was given its first property – five acres of clifftop at Dinas Oleu in Wales. Fast-forward to 2025 and it is one of the largest landowners in the UK, with more than 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves.
![[Open to visitors from March to October, 2 Willow Road contains contains Goldfinger's impressive collection of modern art, intriguing personal possessions and innovative furniture]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/14/93916315-14267043-image-m-8_1736434469588.jpg)
Perhaps the typical perception of a National Trust property is one once inhabited by an eccentric royal or prominent statesman with a taste for rare artwork and lavish drapes – but not every one is like this. As the institution celebrates this impressive milestone, MailOnline takes a look at the weird and wonderful National Trust properties you never knew existed, from a 16-sided feminist cottage to the home of the original Goldfinger.
![[Architect Erno Goldfinger, left, earned the wrath of Ian Fleming over the demolition of cottages, prompting the Bond writer to name villain Auric, (pictured, right, Gert Fröbe portrays the villain) after the designer]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/15/93916341-14267043-Ern_Goldfinger_is_now_known_for_brutalist_designs_such_as_London-a-10_1736435723859.jpg)
'130 years ago to this day, the National Trust was set up by three people who believed passionately that our national heritage and landscapes deserved protecting for future generations,' National Trust director-general Hilary McGrady, told MailOnline.
![[The iconic Tudor manor house is notable for its wonky angles, top-heavy appearance and chequerboard patterns of black timber and white mortar]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/14/93916319-14267043-image-a-2_1736434161707.jpg)
'Just as it is people who have made the National Trust what it is over the last 130 years, it is people who will shape our next chapter.'. MailOnline reveals the weird and wonderful National Trust sites you never knew existed, from a topsy-turvy Tudor house to the home of the original Goldfinger.
![[Dated around 320 million years old, Brimham Rocks were created by natural geologic processes about 100 million years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/16/93919907-14267043-Dated_around_320_million_years_old_the_rocks_were_created_by_nat-a-27_1736439439335.jpg)
