Alitex - bespoke aluminium victorian greenhouses, conservatories

Alitex and the National Trust

Here at Alitex, we are very proud to have been chosen as the manufacturers of the National Trust Greenhouse Collection.

The National Trust is a charity that operates completely independently of government. All the Trust’s income is generated from memberships, donations, legacies and revenue raised from their commercial operations.

Over the years the National Trust has linked with various businesses to develop products that reflect the inspiration and heritage of the historic land and buildings it protects.

In 2004 they approached Alitex to create a range of National Trust greenhouses. And, after careful design and development, we launched our new range of greenhouses at Chelsea Flower Show in 2006. The greenhouses now form part of the National Trust Garden Collection which showcases some of the finest products for your garden, all from companies with a strong British heritage.

We are now very proud to have 7 greenhouses in the range and for each one sold we make a 5% contribution to the National Trust. In 2010 we raised in excess of £25,000, every penny of which went towards the wonderful restoration and conservation work they do.

National Trust design

The greenhouses have all been designed with input from curators and gardeners from the Trust, and reflect some of the beautiful design features found in their impressive heritage structures.

The National Trust wanted to ensure that although the range comprises smaller greenhouses, there would be no compromise on quality or refinement. Who better to entrust with its design than Alitex?

Alitex has designed and built glasshouses for Grade I listed properties and English Heritage sites for over 50 years, so we instinctively understood what the National Trust wanted to achieve. A practical, low-maintenance greenhouse, yet with all the timeless aesthetic qualities of an original heritage structure.

Alitex has also built traditional looking aluminium glasshouses for the National Trust at Sizergh Castle, Standen House, The Vyne and Peckover House and are currently in discussions about creating glasshouses at two other Trust properties.

You can currently see the Hidcote National Trust Greenhouse at the Hidcote Manor Gardens Plant Centre.

National Trust Greenhouses - the design details

• Solid aluminium ridge decorations (cresting and finials), cast from original timber counterparts for authentic appearance.
• The paint finish is carried out using in-house Alitex expertise to ensure quality and longevity in excess of manufacturer’s 10 year warranty.
• Cast aluminium internal spandrels at eaves and ridge height provide visual appeal and structural integrity.
• Externally profiled, narrow glazing beads give appearance of traditional timber structure.
• Solid aluminium door with traditional panelling and narrow glazing beads.
• Precision mitre joints on corners.
• Fitted with a seamless “drop finial” on gable ends.
• Integral ogee gutter and bargeboards.
• Traditional “lever and link” side vent operating mechanism.
• Manufactured using CNC (computer numerically controlled) machinery for precision.
• Roof and side vents designed to create “chimney effect” for optimum ventilation.
• Door transom designed to match height of plinth wall.
• Aluminium downpipes with traditional swathe joints.

All this allows us to guarantee your National Trust greenhouse for life!

• National Trust greenhouses
  • The Hidcote
  • The Scotney
  • The Stourhead
  • The Mottisfont
  • The Tatton
  • The Wimpole
  • The Cliveden
• Alitex and the National Trust
• National Trust colours
• National Trust greenhouse gallery
• National Trust case studies
• Greenhouse accessories
• Greenhouse cleaning service
• Greenhouse guides & FAQ