The Most Instagrammable National Trust Gardens and Properties

The National Trust is a remarkable institution, set up to preserve properties and areas of historic significance so the public can continue to enjoy them. And with affordable annual memberships appealing to individuals, couples and families alike, National Trust sites are popular with people of all ages.

But just which is the best? How do we decide? Do we revert to TripAdvisor? Google Reviews? Ask the National Trust itself?

We think we can do better. So we’ve determined the must-visit National Trust sites based on how Instagrammable they are, looking at National Trust properties in England and Wales with gardens/private outdoor spaces.

So here you have it, the most Instagrammable National Trust properties with gardens based on the number of times its main hashtag has been used on Instagram:

The Winner is….

Tatton Park!

The sizeable Cheshire estate has racked up more than 63,000 Instagram hashtagged images as of the end of October 2018, putting it streets ahead of second-placed Clumber Park. With images ranging from spectacular sunsets to family snaps and the amazing Japanese Gardens, Tatton Park is a real hit with Instagrammers. And it’s little wonder. Just look at the place:

The spectacular house and gardens are one of many draws of Tatton Park, with the Japanese Garden a firm favourite of many Instagrammers:

The Runners Up

While Tatton Park takes the first spot by some way, it’s a closer call between positions 2 to 5.

The Beautiful Clumber park takes second place:

Lyme Park and its gorgeous house and gardens made the third spot:

The historic Fountains Abbey came in 4th:

Dunham Massey, another Cheshire beauty spot, was 5th:

The Rest of the Top 10

Here’s the top 10:

A Fantastic Show for Cheshire and North Yorkshire

3 of the top 5 are in Cheshire while North Yorkshire is home to 2 of the top 10. So if you’re planning your next “staycation,” then somewhere in those areas is a great call for National Trust fans.

National Trust places to visits

Best national trust properties

The Full List

And if you’re interested in the 160+ other ones we looked at, here’s the complete list:

Our Methodology and the Original Data Sheet

We reviewed a list of National Trust properties on the official website and ruled out any that don’t have private gardens or outdoor spaces of some sort. We weren’t looking for open stretches of coastline or moors, as beautiful as they are. We focussed on properties with gardens or outdoor space.

We then manually identified the biggest hashtag on Instagram (by manual search) and checked the number of times the hashtag has been used.

This isn’t based on location data (which isn’t as readily available). So there could (and likely will be) other images of these places not hashtagged.

And we did encounter a funny one - Stoneacre in Kent. Search #stoneacre on Instagram, and you’ll be presented with plenty of images taken by or at a certain well-known car sales showroom chain. We had to rule those out, so we went for #stoneacrent (‘nt’ indicating ‘National Trust,’ and commonly used in this way).

You can access a copy of our original research sheet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15-yj1NgtAH7ZHn7k4HVgw4Os87mB2IumKsIsH6L6KiA/edit#gid=2078797967&fvid=355625588

And you can find all entry fees, opening hours and other information about all of these places at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/