The Most Instagrammable National Trust Spots According to Research

Check out our guide to the most popular National Trust spots for a phot op across the UK. We’ve trawled through Instagram and come up with the top 20 locations for you to take the perfect picture.

© Copyright Gillie Rhodes and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Now that Summer is really getting underway, people are starting to venture that little bit further to take in some of the country’s most breath-taking natural and historical sites.

After being stuck inside for the best part of a year, people are understandably eager to get back out into the English countryside and take the perfect trip with friends and family – and the perfect picture for their Instagram.

So, here at MyJobQuote, we’ve narrowed down some of the National Trust’s most Instagrammed tourist spots, so you can pick the perfect picture-worthy Summer spot.

The Top 20 National Trust Photo Op Hotspots

The South is the Best Place to Take That Instagram-worthy Snap

Beautiful historic National Trust locations can be found up and down the country, but it seems that the South is home to the majority of our top 20 – 60%, in fact!

In the Top 10...

No. 1: Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset – 72,556 hashtags #corfecastle

Corfe Castle in Dorset has been many things throughout its thousand-year history: a military garrison, a Royal palace, and now Instagram’s most hashtagged National Trust spot in the UK. The original keep was built in the 12th century for Henry l, it remained a family home until it was donated to the Trust in 1982.

No.3: Stourhead, Wiltshire – 57,932 hashtags #stourhead

The magical Stourhead house first opened in the 18th century, and has captivated visitors ever since with its exotic flora, grand lake and gardens, and Palladian temples and grottoes. Plucked straight out of a story book, winding woodlands border this near-3,000 acre estate, perfect for a long sunny walk.

No. 5: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire – 40,210 hashtags #waddesdonmanor

This 19th Century French Chateau was originally constructed to store an extensive collection of rare fine art. As you can imagine, this architectural masterpiece is picture-perfect, and is also home to colourful Victorian gardens and a collection of equally vibrant exotic birds.

NO.9: Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Kent – 23,693 hashtags #scotneycastle

This rustic 14th century castle, complete with mossy moat and ivy-trodden walls, is situated next to ancient woodland and Victorian mansion. This endearing castle, with its willows and lily pads, acts as a great backdrop to any fairytale-inspired photoshoot.

No.10: Lanhydrock, Bodmin, Cornwall – 22,669 hashtags #lanhydrock

Lanydrock is a beautiful Victorian estate, whose manicured gardens provide a colourful setting for any Instagram snap. On the outer borders, there are also wild woodlands and a riverside walk if you fancy exploring this quaint piece of countryside further.

And the rest of the top 20…

No.11: Bodiam Castle, Robertsbridge, East Sussex – 22,279 hashtags #bodiamcastle

No.13: Leith Hill Towers and Countryside, Dorking, Surrey – 22,147 hashtags #leithhill

No.14: Nymans, Haywards Heath, West Sussex #nymans

No.15: Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Lode, Cambridge – 20,841 hashtags #angleseyabbey

No.16: Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wilstshire #lacockabbey

No.17: Tyntesfield, Wraxall, North Somerset – 19,843 hashtags #tyntesfield

No.18: Mottisfont, Hampshire – 19,593 hashtags #mottisfont

The Midlands Make for Great Feed-filler

And that’s just the South! The Midlands also makes up 20% of the top 20 spots, and 30% of the top 10!

No.6: Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire – 35,250 hashtags #calkeabbey

The Calke Abbey house and gardens are a faded and near-abandoned image of English country estate history. The house itself was re-discovered in the 18th century, and allows visitors to walk through its expansive nature reserve and gardens, as well as the property itself.

No.7: Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire – 33,263 hashtags #hardwickhall

This 16th century Elizabethan estate has been preserved for nearly five centuries, and has been a hidden gem within Chesterfield for many years, since opening to the public in 1959. Alongside the house runs enchanting gardens and woodland, ideal for a romantic summer snap.

No. 8: Belton House, Lincolnshire - 24,010 hashtags #beltonhouse

One of the most classic English country estates the National trust has to offer, Belton Hall is quite small in comparison to other great houses. However, it makes up for this with its spectacular architecture, arts collections, and expansive outdoor trails and gardens.

In the Top 20…

No.12: Attingham Parks, Shropshire – 22,543 hashtags #attinghampark

The North is Still Sitting Pretty

Although the North of England only managed to grab 2 spots in the top 20, making up for 10%, both of these are proudly in the top 5! Known for rolling countryside and world-famous historical landmarks, it’s no wonder these two places are some of the most-Instagrammed across the UK.

No.2: Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester – 59,931 hashtags. #dunhammassey

Dunham Massey is a beautiful country house and gardens, that also boasts a large deer park. The green gardens and protected parklands encircle the historic property for miles, and make for a great family walk, providing ample photo opportunities – with the odd deer if you’re lucky!

No. 4: Fountains Abbey, Ripon, North Yorkshire – 53,441 hashtags #fountainsabbey

Fountains Abbey was constructed many centuries ago by Medieval monks, and the ruins and expansive gardens continue to attract visitors seeking a peek into the country’s ancient history. Such is the Abbey’s reputation, that it is now a World Heritage Site, with thousands of international tourists coming to take the perfect picture of this piece of English history.

The Jewel in County Down’s Crown – Northern Ireland’s Top Spot

No.19: Mount Stewart, Northern Ireland – 19,079 hashtags #mountstewart

Unfortunately, there’s only 1 spot for northern Ireland in our list, but that goes to Mount Stewart in County Down. Sitting at no.19, Mount Stewart is a picturesque country home, with a storybook garden and park, which echo more of Southern France, than County Down.