Stories

Within the shady recesses of New York’s financial district is a garden, commissioned by the British Memorial Garden Trust and given to the City in memory of the British and Commonwealth citizens who lost their lives during the attacks of September 11, 2001 and in the ensuing wars.

Anglophiles have an enduring appreciation of the UK, of course, but many of us are also bibliophiles. A love of books marries so perfectly with a love of British culture, and of course the perfect confluence of these passions - a well-stocked library chock full of English history and culture - is quite the treat for us here at Royal Oak.

Guest blogger Christina Conte explains the history of the British treat (with ties to Beatrix Potter!) and offers a recipe for you to enjoy this Easter

In less than a week, our first travel program of the year, Just Go! Holidays’ Society Stories trip, departs. Last year I had the privilege to join the Society Stories itinerary departing in the late summer and I’m envious of the Royal Oak supporters who get to kick off their spring in such spectacular fashion.

The Royal Oak Foundation is moving into a new office in the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen on W. 44 Street this Friday, March 27

Glimpses like these into the decades of import work Royal Oak has undertaken taken alongside you and the National Trust affirms the importance of our current preservation projects, such as the National Trust Furniture Appeal, and excites us about all we'll accomplish together in our new offices.

On March 23, Michael Snodin, a design and architectural historian and Chairman and Honorable Curator of the Strawberry Hill Trust spoke to a Royal Oak Foundation audience in New York City as part of our Drue Heinz Lecture Series.

Last night, Royal Oak hosted Lord Sackville, Robert Sackville-West of Knole, in New York City as part of our Drue Heinz lecture series. Sackville's lecture focused on his recently published book, The Disinherited, which examines the parallel lives of his family's "illegitimate" members, and their fight for recognition. Before his lecture, Lord Sackville sat down with Royal Oak's Sam McCann for a brief interview over coffee. Watch as he discusses his family history, what it meant to dig into the family's shadows, and what he hopes his audience takes away from his lecture.

Whether it’s an eclipse or a night of sky watching, gazing up at the stars simply goes best with a National Trust scone and beautiful countryside settings. With that in mind, here are the Top 5 National Trust properties for sky watching.

West Sussex is home to many National Trust sites: historic houses, gardens, coast and countryside. If you’re planning a trip to England soon and are looking for an itinerary of places to go, this guide and map can help you to plan a route that satisfies all your travel interests. As a member of Royal Oak, you can visit all of these sites for free!