Member Moments

Overseas Adventures

A huge benefit of joining the National Trust is that it allows members free or discounted entry to more than 1,000 extraordinary heritage places around the globe. Nikki South from Southmarc Architecture shares some of the experiences she and her family have enjoyed as a result.

Sydney-based architect Nikki South, husband Mark and their daughters, Freddie and Coco, have recently returned from three years living in the United Kingdom. While there, they made it their mission to spend their weekends and holidays exploring National Trust properties and stately homes.

What were your favourite National Trust properties to visit? One of our absolute favourites was Clivedon House in Buckinghamshire, built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham as a gift to his mistress. It is now a country hotel and makes the perfect weekend escape. The formal gardens and woodlands are also magnificent to wander. The property has an eclectic past and was associated with one of the biggest political scandals of the 20th century, the Profumo affair.

Another property we loved was located in our own neighbourhood – 2 Willow Road, in Hampstead. The 1939 building was designed by Erno Goldfinger for his family in what, at the time, was a shockingly modernist style. Goldfinger was a controversial architect. He remains most famous for his association with the villain in Ian Fleming’s 1958 James Bond novel of the same name. Fleming loathed Goldfinger, personally and for his creation of the house, which involved knocking down a row of Victorian cottages.

As an architect, are you inspired by heritage properties? Yes, I’ve always loved heritage architecture, and the National Trust has so many wonderful properties in the UK, Europe and in Australia. In fact, for a recent job on the Central Coast, I took inspiration from the colour, textiles and ornaments from the eighteenth-century gothic revival architecture found at Strawberry Hills House and Gardens in Twickenham, London.

Where are you planning to visit next in your travels? I have just booked a holiday to the Italian Riviera for the 2023 June school holidays. Italy has the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any one country, and I am planning a visit to San Fruttuoso, an eleventh-century Benedictine Abbey located near the picturesque town of Portofino.

Do you recommend becoming a National Trust (NSW) member for anyone planning to travel overseas? Absolutely! It’s a smart way to save money because it gives you free entry to more than 1,000 unique heritage places and gardens throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Being able to visit them regularly gave our family so much pleasure.

Plan your trip

There are so many National Trust properties you can visit for free in the UK and Europe with your National Trust membership. To find out more visit nationaltrust.org.au/international-places

Left The magnificent Palladian bridge at Stowe, Buckinghamshire, another of Nikki South's favourite places (photo by Nikki South).

THANK YOU

Patrons, Corporate Members and Sponsors

The National Trust (NSW) acknowledges and appreciates the support we receive from these generous individuals and organisations

Patrons G Arnott R Butler OAM J Calluaud L Calluaud Emeritus Professor D Carment AM J Church K Eadie M Eadie P Flick R Flick A Hayward B Hayward T Heazlewood OAM H Hewitt P Homel The Kimalo Foundation The Nell & Hermon Slade Trust The Pratten Foundation C Sutherland L Taggart M Vellacott A White P White C Wilkinson OAM Anonymous (7)

Corporate Members Allen Jack & Cottier Architects Cox Architecture Design 5 Architects GML Heritage Hector Abrahams Architects Lucas, Stapleton, Johnson & Partners Melgrand Sydney Metro Winten Property Group Wollongong City Council Corporate Partners Art Gallery of NSW International Conservation Services Laithwaite’s Wine People Museums & Galleries NSW Safewill

Supporters L Cox AO The Denbigh Foundation D Foster R Frecker The J Permsew Foundation I Kaiser The Mallam Family Fund The Maple-Brown Family Foundation N Paton S Pickles T Strachan R Sturrock K Valder P Wade R Wade S White OAM

S.H. Ervin Gallery Supporters Allen & Unwin Art Gallery of NSW Holding Redlich Margaret Olley Art Trust National Trust Wine Service Perpetual

Make a bigger difference as a Patron & Guardian

Joining the National Trust (NSW) Patron & Guardian Program is a great way to further support our conservation and advocacy work as well as deepening your relationship with us through exclusive tours, previews, and behind the scenes events. Guardians are committed to donating just $1,000 per annum while Patrons commit to donating $3,000 a year.

To join, visit nationaltrust.org.au/donate-nsw or contact Philanthropy Manager, Tim Arrowsmith, on +61 2 9258 0154