Monopoly gets a stately National Trust makeover

09:55 29 September 2009

Since the 1930s, Monopoly has given the board game fans a pictorial tour around London's richest and poorest streets in their quest to snap up property and fend off greedy competition.

However, the classic game has now had a makeover from the National Trust, meaning that players can now get a chance to virtually own stately locations. For example, Cheshire's Lyme Park (famed for its use in the 'Pride and Prejudice' BBC miniseries) has replaced Mayfair as the wealthiest property.

In the past, the board game giants have hosted many tie-ins, such as Star Wars Monopoly. However, the National Trust has become the first charity in the world have a version of Monopoly made especially for it.

This new version of Monopoly is steeped in national history. Park Lane has been substituted by Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. The Elizabethan structure was erected by Bess of Hardwick, the era's second richest woman.

And on the other end of the social and financial scale, established cheap favourites Old Kent Road and Whitechapel have been replaced by Sir Paul McCartney's childhood home, 20 Forthlin Road, Liverpool, and 19th century Birmingham back-to-back houses.

As to be expected from the National Trust, it's all for a good cause. Fiona Reynolds, director general of the Trust said: "Sales of the game go directly to helping us look after the real versions of the special places on the board. So even the most ruthless Monopoly property developer will still be doing their bit for conservation."

London's biggest shopping streets (e.g. Bond Street and Regent Street) have been substituted with country landscapes instead, such as Snowdonia, the Giant's Causeway and High Peak in Derbyshire.

Meanwhile, a more industrial theme marks the places on the board previously occupied by Angel Islington, Euston Road and Pentonville Road. Quarry Bank Mill, the Cornish tin mines and the Workhouse in Southwell in Nottinghamshire have taken their place.