The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity, founded in 1965 by the late Sir John Smith and Lady Smith. It was established to rescue historic and architecturally interesting buildings and their surroundings from neglect and, when restored, to give them new life by letting them as places to experience for holidays.

Our aim is to promote enjoyment of historic buildings by enabling as many people as possible to experience living in them for a short time. The letting income generated from holiday bookings then pays for the future maintenance of the buildings. As a charity, Landmark relies on voluntary sources of income to rescue more buildings and needs your support. Please visit Supporting Landmark for further information.

A list of Landmark's trustees and key staff is available on our Trustees and staff page and a copy of our 2010-11 Annual Report and Accounts is available here (pdf 6MB).

All Landmarks are remarkable

All Landmarks are remarkable in some way for their architecture, history or setting. All have been chosen because they needed our help and because we believe you will enjoy staying in them, whether for a fortnight's holiday or a weekend break. Some are for just two people, others are for twelve or more. Some are surrounded by open countryside or a landscape garden; others lie in the heart of an historic city. Choose from follies, castles, towers, banqueting houses, cottages and other unusual buildings for your unique holiday.  

Full details of all our buildings are available here and can also be found in the 232-page full colour Landmark Trust Handbook.

Staying in Landmarks

What will it be like to stay in a Landmark? Our visitors tell us that no two stays are the same, and it is our aim that every Landmark holiday should be memorable and uplifting.

All the buildings on our website can be booked for anything from a three-night weekend break to longer stays of up to three weeks. Those who stay include individuals, couples, families and groups of friends; children of all ages are welcome. For the most up to date information please use our online booking facility. If you prefer, our availability list (updated weekly) can be found here. Our Price List can also be viewed here.

A place to talk and eat together

With no television our visitors enjoy just spending time together, whether in front of an open fire with a good book, chatting around the dining table or completing the jigsaw puzzle provided of the building.

Virtually every Landmark has a private area in which to sit out. Many have sizeable gardens and several have spectacular views or battlements to be looked over. Some Landmarkers come with the intention of exploring the local area but find they never venture further than the bottom of the garden. For those wanting to go further a field we provide a specially made, large-scale walking map and information on things to do in the local area.

Many of our visitors want to know more about the place they are in. For each Landmark, our Historian writes a History Album, a careful but readable account of the building, its history and past inhabitants, and a description of its restoration. There will be a bookcase containing the sort of relevant and interesting books you might expect from a well-read host, as well as those standard reference books you sometimes need to get the most out of a good walk or conversation.

Equipment in Landmarks

A stay cannot be relaxing unless the facilities we take for granted in modern life can be relied upon. Our kitchens are well-equipped and all have a wide and standard range of utensils. Even in the smallest buildings, there will be provision for two extra place settings beyond those who are sleeping there. An increasing number of particularly our larger buildings have dishwashers, freezers and washing machines.

Our furniture is carefully chosen to fit happily with its surroundings ? most of it is old, simple and good, but sometimes with an unexpected flourish. Towels and bed linen are provided, and beds made up in advance. The beds themselves, however ancient the bed head, have modern mattresses, blankets and pillows. A baby's travel cot is usually provided, though not its bed linen.

Landmarks are all fully heated, either by central heating or night storage heaters. Wherever possible, our buildings also have open fires or a woodstove. Logs or coal will be easily available locally. Historic buildings can rarely be entirely draught-proofed without spoiling their character so, during colder months, you may wish to bring an extra jumper or two and hot water bottles.

Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome in all Landmarks except those where the problems or temptations are too great. Assistance dogs are welcome at all buildings, but please inform us when booking.

Every Landmark has a Housekeeper who will make it ready for you. The building will be available from 4pm on our day of arrival and you must leave by 10am on your last day.

Our Booking Office staff are always happy to answer any questions you may have about a specific building. Email bookings@landmarktrust.org.uk or telephone 01628 825925. The Booking Office is normally open Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to a Landmark soon.