Is a registered charity Is independent of Government Was founded in 1895 to preserve places of historic interest or natural beauty permanently for the nation to enjoy Relies on the generosity of its supporters, through membership subscriptions, gifts, legacies and the contribution of many thousands of volunteers Now protects and opens to the public over 200 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills Owns more than 248,000 hectares (612,000 acres) of the most beautiful countryside and almost 600 miles of outstanding coast for people to enjoy Looks after forests, woods, fens, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, nature reserves, villages - for ever, for everyone Has the unique statutory power to declare land inalienable - such land cannot be voluntarily sold, mortgaged or compulsorily purchased against the Trust's wishes without special parliamentary procedure. This special power means that protection by the Trust is forever Spends all its income on the care and maintenance of the land and buildings in its protection, but cannot meet the cost of all its obligations - four in every five of its historic houses run at a loss - and is always in need of financial support