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In 2020, the National Trust published a report
examining the links between its much-loved
collection of historic homes and the history
of colonialism and the slave trade. In total, 93
of the Trust’s historic houses — about a third
of the collection — were identified as having
ties with Britain’s colonial past. Reckoning
with its dubious history was initially met
with criticism by some, but travellers can
now expect a more informed visit thanks to
informative new exhibitions, workshops and
online resources.
PENRYHN CASTLE in North Wales is
one property that’s striving to do things
differently. Its upcoming exhibition,
What a World! (5 March–6 November
2022), is dedicated to the pieces linked
to the castle’s controversial past, such as
documents relating to Jamaican sugar
plantations owned by the Pennant family
(the former owners of Penrhyn Castle) and
objects collected in the Middle East. Local
schoolchildren have worked alongside poets
Martin Daws and Aneirin Karadog, as well
as historians, to produce creative responses
to the controversial objects through words,
colour, sound and imagery — the idea beingto help visitors view these critical objects in
a new light.
Meanwhile, DYRHAM PARK — a 17th-century
mansion and parkland near Bristol — has
also faced up to its imperial ties, turning the
lens on the three families connected with
the estate and examining how the property
benefitted from their roles in the transatlantic
slave trade and the beginnings of the Empire.
A more comprehensive profile of its history
and collection is also available online.
Last year, DUNHAM MASSEY in Cheshire
removed a controversial sundial that had
stood in the forecourt for 300 years. It’s not
the first time the estate has shifted the focus
of its collection: in 2018, it brought to the fore
an array of clothes, books and photographs to
paint a clearer picture of the role of women in
the house’s history.
This more comprehensive approach to
the past looks set to continue, with the
National Trust saying, “Where we have new
information about collection items or people
relating to the place, we have included it in
room folders so volunteers can help answer
any visitor questions.” nationaltrust.org.uk
JOSEPHINE PRICEBy addressing the turbulent histories of its properties, the
National Trust is offering visitors more informed experiencesPenrhyn Castle, North Wales,
home to the upcoming
What a World! exhibitionEYE-OPENING
EXHIBITIONSWE ARE HISTORY: RACE ,
COLONIALISM & CLIMATE CHANGE
SOMERSET HOUSE, LONDON
Works by 11 artists with ties to the
Caribbean, South America and Africa
are showcased in this moving exhibition
exploring environmental issues, the
climate crisis and colonialism. Until
6 February 2022. somersethouse.org.ukOUR FUTURE PLANET
SCIENCE MUSEUM, LONDON
Discover how scientists are looking at
several carbon-capturing solutions, from
preserving ancient woodlands to air
«ÕÀwV>ÌÃÞÃÌið1Ì-i«ÌiLiÀ- sciencemuseum.org.uk
PLASTIC: REMAKING OUR WORLD
V&A DUNDEE
Learn about the 150-year story of the
ubiquitous material and the challenges it
poses for the future. 29 October 2022 to
4 February 2023. vam.ac.uk/dundeeHONOURING
HERITAGE
NATIONAL TRUST
Jan/Feb 2022 33SMART TRAVELLER