National Trust treasures in the West Midlands and Mid Wales are being opened up for the public to enjoy like never before

It says it intends to give people a chance to use extensive and historic libraries that it has within in Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton and Powis Castle in Mid Wales.

The charity says it will allow people to access some of the books it has and they will be able to stay in the library to read.

Wightwick Manor is the former home of Geoffrey Mander, a local paint manufacturer and Liberal MP, who persuaded the National Trust to accept a house for the nation that was just 50 years old. He had inherited Wightwick in 1900, a house designed in an ‘Old English’ style by Midlands architect Edward Ould and built for his parents, Theodore and Flora Mander, between 1887–1893.

It has an extensive library, which was visited by the then Prince Charles and Camilla in 2014. The building also has one of the largest public collections of work by female artists in Britain amid William Morris interiors.

Powis Castle was built in the 13th century as a medieval fortress and today reflects the changing ambitions and visions of the Herbert family, who occupied the castle from the 1570s. It is home to the Clive Museum of South and East Asian artefacts and has a beautiful wood panelled library.

The National Trust says it wants to improve access for the public to its properties as well as enhance nature on its estates.

The "unrestricted" £10 million donation - which the charity is free to spend as it sees fit - from philanthropist Humphrey Battock is the biggest cash gift in the Trust's 131-year history and is a "huge boost", according to director-general Hilary McGrady.

It also comes as the National Trust prepares to take on the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, allowing its members free entry into a number of attractions along the River Severn in Shropshire,

National Trust says it plans for the year ahead are to restore nature, end unequal access to natural and cultural heritage and inspire more people to care for the world around them. 

Mr Battock said: "The National Trust represents what is best about our society, preserving our shared heritage for all the people. 

"For over 130 years, it has been at the vanguard of progress for the United Kingdom . 

"Its deep commitment to sustainability and to providing access for more people resonates with the values of its founders and reminds us of what is special about our country." 

And he said: "In making this donation, I want to emphasise that it is unrestricted; I will have no say over how the charity spends it - and that is because I trust the National Trust to know how best this money can be used." 

Ms McGrady said: "This gift is a huge boost for the National Trust - both because of the vital work it will fund and because of the faith Humphrey has shown in our approach by making it unrestricted. 

"We believe the challenges we're setting out to tackle through our new strategy will define our generation: we must halt the freefall decline in nature before it becomes irreversible; end unequal access to nature, beauty and history; and inspire millions more people to care for the world around them." 

Last year, the National Trust's new 10-year strategy set out plans to create 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscape on the charity's land and elsewhere, and significantly increase people's access to heritage and nature. 

In 2026, the trust says it will support existing populations in white-tailed eagles in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Wight to expand further into England and Wales.

And following the National Trust's first licensed beaver release into the wild in England at Purbeck last year, the charity plans to release more of the semi-aquatic mammals, which create habitat and manage water in 2026, subject to licences from Natural England. 

Efforts to increase opportunities for children to play include a partnership with Disney and Pixar to mark their new film Hoppers, which puts beavers centre stage, and starting work on play facilities at Tyntesfield in Somerset and Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire.

Ms McGrady said: "In 2026, I want more people to be able to find their place, whether that's at a National Trust place or somewhere in their local community. 

"We will work with other charities, organisations and authorities to try and make sure access to nature, beauty and history is a right for everyone, not a privilege for a few," she said.