Howard Macpherson is a big supporter of National Trust properties, which are maintained by a UK conservation charity that protects and preserves historic places and makes them open to the public. One such unique place is a site simply titled “A la Ronde.” This 18th century house is billed as quirky and unique, with an unusual interior that has a number of strange decorations and collections.<br /><br />The house itself has 16 sides; its unusual interior has a feather frieze, which features feathers gathered from native game birds and chickens and stuck down with isinglass. Another unusual collection is its shell-encrusted gallery, which contains an estimated 25,000 shells. <br /><br />The house has an interesting history; it was built for spinster cousins Jane and Mary Parminter. They returned home from a grand tour of Europe in the late 18th century and filled the home with collections and mementoes of their travels. It is unique properties like this that National Trust properties charities seek to preserve, with the help of enthusiastic supporters such as Howard Macpherson whose patronage helps to cover the costs of upkeep and repair. Other unusual trust properties include homes throughout London, old merchants houses and farmhouses.