h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I did visit southeast England several years ago and very much enjoyed the kinds of places described in the entry. I'm not sure we have an equivalent to the National Trust in the US - we're a little short on castles and almost all the stately homes are owned by billionaire CEO's. The few that are not tend to have their own trusts that compete for donations.

You can buy a season pass, I think, to the National Parks (which is the government) and save money if you're a frequent visitor. But for privately owned, the closest may be the Nature Conservancy www.nature.org , which my wife does volunteer work for. From the "About Us" section of their website:

"Since 1951, we've been working with communities, businesses and people like you to protect more than 98 million acres around the world. To preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive."

I think the goal is to avoid the politics of environmentalism, just buy the property and keep it from being developed.

Those in the USA who are interested in the UK National Trust may wish to find out more about the Royal Oak Foundation. This is an American not-for-profit charity which helps support the National Trust in the UK. Members of the Royal Oak Foundation have similar privileges to members of the National Trust - notably free entry to all Trust properties. Depending on the exchange rate it can be a good deal if you are planning to visit the UK. Royal Oak also awards scholarships to US residents to study in the UK, and organises lectures and study tours in the US. Over 30,000 Americans are already members of the Foundation. See http://www.royal-oak.org/