The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three Victorian philanthropists - Miss Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. Concerned about the impact of uncontrolled development and industrialisation, they set up the Trust to act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline countryside and buildings. Now the Trust cares for over 248,000 hectares (612,000 acres) ofcountryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus almost 600 miles of outstanding coastline and more than 200 buildings and gardens of outstanding interest and importance. Most of these properties are held in perpetuity and so their future protection is secure. The vast majority are open for visitors. The National Trust is a registered charity completely independent of Government, therefore relying heavily on the generosity of subscribing members (now numbering over 2.6 million) and other supporters.