British organization founded in 1895 and incorporated by the National Trust Act (1907) for the purpose of promoting the preservation of-and public access to-buildings of historic or architectural interest and land of natural beauty. (The powers and privileges of the Trust were extended by acts of Parliament of 1919, 1937, and 1939.) Headquartered in London, it serves England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A parallel organization, the National Trust for Scotland, headquartered in Edinburgh, was founded in 1931.