Suchen Sie nach Museen und Gemälden

Ashford (Kent) / Vereinigtes Königreich

Ashford ist eine Stadt in Kent im Südosten Englands. Sie befindet sich im Borough of Ashford in den North Downs am Great Stour und der Mündung des East Stour. Ashford hat 118.000 Einwohner . Der landwirtschaftliche Markt der Stadt ist einer der größten des Landes. Ashford ist im Englischen eine relativ häufige Bezeichnung und bedeutet wörtlich „Eschenfurt“, also eine Furt, die von Eschen gesäumt wird. Die Stadt Ashford, die im Grenzbereich zwischen dem westlichen und dem östlichen Kent liegt, hat als Motto den Spruch „With stronger faith“ , ein Zitat aus dem Gedicht "To Lucasta, Going to the Warres" von Richard Lovelace.

National trust

Ashford (Kent) / Vereinigtes Königreich

The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust, is a charity and membership organisation for heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, there is a separate and independent National Trust for Scotland. The Trust was founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley to "promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements of beauty or historic interest". It was given statutory powers, starting with the National Trust Act 1907. Historically, the Trust acquired land by gift and sometimes by public subscription and appeal, but after World War II the loss of country houses resulted in many such properties being acquired either by gift from the former owners, or through the National Land Fund. Country houses and estates still make up a significant part of its holdings, but it is also known for its protection of wild landscapes such as in the Lake District and Peak District. As well as the great estates of titled families, it has acquired smaller houses including some whose significance is not architectural but through their association with famous people, for example the childhood homes of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. One of the largest landowners in the United Kingdom, the Trust owns over 248,000 hectares of land and 780 miles of coast. Its properties include over 500 historic houses, castles, archaeological and industrial monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves. Most properties are open to the public for a charge , while open spaces are free to all. The Trust has an annual income of over £630 million, largely from membership subscriptions, donations and legacies, investments, entrance fees to properties, and profits from its shops and restaurants. It also receives grants from a variety of organisations including other charities, government departments, local authorities and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.