English Heritage is a public body with responsibility for all aspects of protecting and promoting the historic environment in England. Officially known as the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, English Heritage is an Executive Non-departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Our powers and responsibilities are set out in the National Heritage Act (1983) and include acting as the Government's statutory advisor on the historic environment. We also work closely with the Departments for Communities and Local Government and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

English Heritage receives around 75% of its income from the Government and the rest from revenue earned from membership, the properties in its care and other sources like legacies.

The work of English Heritage is overseen by a board of up to 17 Commissioners selected by the Government for the breadth of their expertise. The Commission is, in turn, advised by expert advisory committees and panels.

What does English Heritage do?

English Heritage is the Government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment. Our role is to champion and care for the historic environment which we do by:

Improving understanding of the past through research and study
Providing conservation grants, advisory and education services
Identifying and helping to protect buldings and archaeological sites of national importance
Maintaining over 400 historic properties and making them accessible to the broadest possible public audience
Maintaining the National Monuments Record as the central publicly accessible archive for the historic environment in England.

How is English Heritage funded and how does it spend its resources?

English Heritage receives around 75% of its income from the Government and the rest from revenue earned from membership, the properties in its care and other sources like legacies.

The English Heritage Annual Report and Accounts sets out our recent achievements as well as the most recent financial information. It is available on our website.

What is the charitable status of English Heritage?

English Heritage is a Non-Departmental Public Body established by the National Heritage Act 1983. Its formal name is The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England.

The Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 gave English Heritage the same benefits from tax relief as charities.

How are we different from the National Trust?

The National Trust is a charity, while English Heritage is a public body with responsibilities including acting as the Government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment.

SUPPORTING US

How can I make a donation to English Heritage?

Although our statutory work is funded by the Government, English Heritage relies upon the support of the public to continue its work. Almost a quarter of our revenue comes from income generated through fundraising as well as from our sites and our membership scheme. The money we make from admissions, donations, catering and retail contribute greatly to our work. Donations can be made online (see Making A Donation).

What have the past donations to English Heritage been used to fund?

All donations and legacies provide resources for projects in urgent need of attention, for example, to carry out emergency rescue work on a property, to acquire works of art which suddenly become available, or to pursue education projects. Restoration projects and interpretation schemes have been made possible all around the country thanks to the help of donations and legacies.

How can the company I work for support English Heritage?

Companies can build mutually beneficial relationships with English Heritage through corporate sponsorship. See Corporate Support.

Can I nominate English Heritage through my company's payroll giving scheme?

Employers can establish Payroll Giving & Gift Aid schemes, which allow employees to make regular donations to their chosen organisations via deductions from their pay. If you wish to participate in Payroll Giving, please speak to your Human Resources Department at your workplace.

Can I claim tax relief on a donation to English Heritage?

There are many tax-efficient ways to give, including:-

Corporate Support

Can I leave shares or securities to English Heritage?

Gift of Shares or Securities are exempt from Capital Gains Tax and you can claim a deduction for the gift against your income for tax purposes on their market value. If you would like to consider leaving a gift of shares or securities, please contact the English Heritage Development Office on 0207 973 3538.

How do I leave a legacy to English Heritage?

Your local solicitor can draw up a will or codicil. If you would like to talk about leaving a gift in your will to English Heritage, please contact the Development Department on 020 7973 3538. Alternatively you may wish to request a copy of our information pack on Leaving a Legacy to English Heritage.

WORKING FOR US

How many staff do we employ and how can I find out about vacancies within English Heritage?

English Heritage employ an average of 1,650 staff located at our properties and offices.

We normally have some vacancies for paid permanent and temporary positions. You can see current vacancies on our jobs pages, where you will be invited to apply on-line. If there is not a suitable vacancy for you at present then it is recommended that you register for email alerts, so that you will be contacted when a suitable vacancy arises.

You can find the contact details for all our offices and sites by visiting where we work.

HISTORIC PROPERTIES

Where is my local property?

English Heritage currently has over 400 properties across England in its care. To find those nearest to you visit our Properties & Events section.

Where can I view a map of all English Heritage sites?

English Heritage currently has over 400 properties across England in its care. See our Properties & Events section for details.

What special events are taking place at your sites?

English Heritage offers a wide range of events at its sites during the season. These include bringing history to life with jousting and battle re-enactments and drama and music. The highlight of the year is the Festival of History held each summer, the UK’s best attended historical event. For details of these events and more please visit our Events section. Alternatively, you may contact our Customer Services Department on 0870 333 1181 or customers@english-heritage.org.uk for a copy of our Events Diary.

Can I hold functions at English Heritage sites?

English Heritage Hospitality, the professional event service from English Heritage now offers numerous historic venues for exclusive corporate and private functions. For further details, please visit our Hiring a Venue section.

Can I rent an historic property?

English Heritage now offers you the opportunity to stay at some of our finest historic buildings. Each of our Holiday Cottages is located at the heart of an English Heritage property. Find our more about our Holiday Cottages.

Who can get discounted or free entry to English Heritage sites?

English Heritage is committed to increasing awareness of and access to England's historic environment. We offer free or discounted access to many groups and organisations.

All English Heritage members are granted free access to our sites and we offer free or reduced admission to members of our sister organisations CADW, Historic Scotland and Manx National Heritage. Children under 19 accompanying a member and those accompanying disabled are welcomed free of charge.

We welcome educational bodies and groups free of charge to our properties. We also offer 10% discount for groups of 11 or more visiting Stonehenge and discounts of 15% to all other English Heritage properties.

Members of Sussex Past, The Association for Roman Archaeology, The National Art Collections Fund and The National Trust are also entitled to half-price admission to some English Heritage sites. Please call 0870 333 1181 for more details.

MEMBERSHIP

What types of Membership do English Heritage offer?

English Heritage offers both Annual and Life Membership. Go to our Membership section for further information and prices.

What are the benefits of membership?

Annual membership offers the bearer:

Free access to all English Heritage Properties
Free entry for children accompanying a member
Half price admission to historic properties in Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. This is completely free after the first year!
Half or reduced-price admission to numerous other historic attractions throughout the country including the Weald and Downland Museum, Flag Fen Excavations, Pendle Heritage Centre, Merchants Adventurers' Hall, Jorvik Viking Centre, the Archaeological Resource Centre and the six historic attractions in the care of Sussex Past.
A copy of the English Heritage Visitors Handbook, Events Diary, More Historic Attractions, Site Map and More Activities for Members.
A regular mailing of the Heritage Today members only magazine.
Free or reduced entry to all special events at English Heritage properties.
Discounted tickets to events such as open-air concerts and foreign holidays.
Opportunities to attend members-only events such as lectures, walks, tours and meetings with specialist staff.

Life Membership has all the benefits of Annual membership with the addition of:

Individual Life members can take 1 adult or 2 children aged 18 and under as guests to English Heritage Properties. Joint Life members can take 2 adults or 4 children aged 18 and under.
Free access to reciprocal sites from the start of the membership.
Exclusive Life membership card.

Does my English Heritage membership offer reduced admission to any other sites?

In addition to free admission to English Heritage properties, members are also entitled to free or reduced price entry to a host of other historic attractions throughout Britain.

Whether you're on holiday or simply live nearby, you can use your membership card to visit over one hundred more heritage attractions in Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Members only pay half price and after your first year it's free!

Across England, you can gain free or reduced entry to attractions such as Flag Fen Excavations near Peterborough, six magnificent properties in the care of Sussex Past and York's 14th century Merchant Adventurers Hall.

For full details of these sites and many others please contact Customer Services on 0870 333 1181 or customers@english-heritage.org.uk

How can I join English Heritage?

You can now become an English Heritage member online, please visit our Membership section.

To apply for membership by post or for more information please contact:

English Heritage Membership Department
PO Box 570
Swindon
SN2 2YR
Or call us on 0870 333 1182

Alternatively, please feel free to visit any staffed English Heritage property, where our operations staff will be more than happy to help process an application for you. To find your local site please visit the Properties & Events section.

How do I give someone an English Heritage Membership as a present?
To find out more information about giving membership as a gift and how they work please visit our Gift of Membership section.

Can I pay for somebody else’s membership?
If you would like to pay for someone else’s membership, you can do so by direct debit. Just call our membership team on +44 (0) 870 333 1182 or email us at members@english-heritage.org.uk. We will be happy to arrange it for you.

How do I notify you of changes to my membership?
If you have moved house, please let us know by completing our change of address form.

If you would like to add or remove someone from your membership, or have any other changes, please advise us by completing the change to membership form.

Can I replace my card as I have mislaid it?
You can request a new card by completing the Replacement Card Request form

If I Gift Aid my membership can I claim back any tax myself if I am a higher rate taxpayer?
You can claim back the difference between the rate of tax you pay and the basic rate (which is the amount we claim). To do this, you need to declare it on your self assessment tax return. If you need further information you can follow this link to HM Revenue & Customs: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk

LOCAL ADVICE

Who can I ask for advice if I am concerned about a local conservation issue?
English Heritage has nine Regional Offices which work closely with local councils across England to look after the historic environment. Your nearest regional office will be able to advise whether your query is one for English Heritage or your local council.

East Midlands
44 Derngate
Northampton
NN1 1UH

East of England
Brooklands
24 Brooklands Avenue
Cambridge
CB2 2BU

London
1 Waterhouse Square
138 – 142 Holborn
London
EC1N 2ST

North East
Bessie Surtees House
41-44 Sandhill
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 3JF

North West
Suites 3.3 & 3.4
Canada House
3 Chepstow Street
Manchester
M1 5FW

South East
Eastgate Court
195-205 High Street
Guildford
GU1 3EH

South West
29 Queen Square
Bristol
BS1 4ND

West Midlands
8th Floor
The Axis
10 Holliday Street
Birmingham
B1 1TG

Yorkshire
37 Tanner Row
York
YO1 6WP

OUR CONSERVATION WORK

English Heritage is probably best known for the historic sites in our care which are open to the public. Less well known is our role in looking after the historic environment as a whole, including historic buildings, monuments, battlefields, parks and gardens and archaeological remains. Our role is to champion and care for the historic environment which we do by:

Improving understanding of the past through research and study
Providing conservation grants, advisory and education services
Identifying and helping to protect buildings and archaeological sites of national importance
Maintaining over 400 historic properties and making them accessible to the broadest possible audience
Maintaining the National Monuments Record as the central publicly accessible archive for the historic environment in England.

Scheduling Monuments

We advise the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on scheduling proposals and all applications for Scheduled Monument Consent, and give grants for major repairs to monuments.

Listed Buildings

We advise the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on proposals to "list" buildings of special historic or architectural interest. English Heritage expert staff also advise local authorities and, where necessary, the Department for Communities and Local Government on applications for listed building consent relating to Grade I or II* buildings or the demolition of any listed building. We also give grants for repairs to outstanding buildings, and give advice to owners of historic properties on how to maintain them.

Archaeology

We are the main source of funding for rescue archaeology and give expert advice on all aspects of archaeological projects. English Heritage has responsibility for maritime archaeology in English coastal waters.

Looking After Places of Worship

The English Heritage Inspired! campaign is the most strategic and ambitious attempt yet to tackle the problems facing this country’s 14,500 historic places of worship and is supported by all the faith groups with listed buildings in England. The campaign reveals the full extent of the threat facing our historic places of worship and sets out proposals to help solve the problem. As well as describing what English Heritage is going to do, Inspired! also sets out what the Government, the central bodies of the denominations and faiths, and also the public can do to help struggling congregations who currently shoulder almost the entire burden of keeping the country's historic churches intact.

Looking After Conservation Areas

The management of conservation areas is the responsibility of local authorities. English Heritage provides national advice on how local authorities should identify, designate and manage conservation areas. Our aim is to help local authorities ensure that conservation areas are set up wherever there are districts worthy of designation.

The Register Of Parks And Gardens

We maintain a Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest which now contains nearly 1450 sites. The Register helps us to work in partnership with local authorities to manage change to these nationally-important landscapes.

Where can I go for advice on conservation or renovation work?

English Heritage has nine Regional Offices, offering easy, one-stop advice on a wide range of issues. For advice or information on conservation or restoration work please feel free to contact the relevant Regional Office.

Does English Heritage offer grants for conservation work?

English Heritage offers grants to support restoration and repair work to the most important buildings and monuments in England. For advice on applying for a grant please contact your Regional Office.

English Heritage is only one source of funding for historic buildings. A free and regularly-updated online guide to relevant sources of funds is published by the Architectural Heritage Fund on the Funds for Historic Buildings website at http://www.ffhb.org.uk/. This is partly funded by English Heritage.

Where can I get information on technical or specialist suppliers or craftspeople?

As a public body, English Heritage is unable to recommend individual businesses. However, for details of craftspeople and suppliers please contact:

Building Conservation Directory
Cathedral Communications Limited
High Street
Tisbury
Wiltshire
SP3 6HA
Tel 01747 871717
Fax 01747 871718
www.buildingconservation.com

Where can I get details of conservation training or courses?

For details of conservation courses please contact the Building Conservation Directory as above.

What is listing?

The word 'listing' is a short-hand term used to describe one of a number of legal procedures which help the Government to protect the best of our architectural heritage. When buildings are listed they are placed on statutory lists of buildings of 'special architectural or historic interest' compiled by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, on advice from English Heritage.

A building's long-term interests are best served by putting it to good use, and if this cannot be the one it was designed for, a new use may have to be found. Listing ensures that the architectural and historic interests of the building is carefully considered before any alterations, either outside or inside, are agreed.

Listing is changing

In March 2007 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published “Heritage Protection for the 21st Century”, a White Paper which set out a new legislative framework and policy which will transform the way we protect and promote the historic environment. Instead of designating historic buildings and scheduled monuments separately there will be one national Register of Historic Buildings and Sites for England. Registered Parks and Gardens, Battlefields and World Heritage Sites will also be included in the new Register. Local Authorities will have a statutory duty to maintain or have access to, an Historic Environment Record, which will bring together local designations.

Alongside unified designation, a unified consent regime for the management of registered buildings and archaeological sites will be introduced.

The changes will result in a more efficient and open system which will give Local Authorities and English Heritage better, more modern tools for the job of protecting the historic environment.

The main changes will be:

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will no longer make listing decisions. Responsibility for designation will rest with English Heritage.
Decisions will be made more quickly and to agreed targets.
English Heritage will open up the system and consult owners when their property is being considered for designation.
Interim legal protection will be introduced for buildings being proposed for designation - to protect from hasty demolition.
Owners will have a right to appeal against a decision for the first time.
English Heritage will de-mystify the process of designation by publishing its selection guides for buildings. Further guides will follow for other assets.

For further information please visit our Heritage Protection section.

How can I get a building listed?

English Heritage advises the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on buildings which have been recommended for listing. To make a recommendation please contact the Department at:

Listing Branch
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH

Web: www.culture.gov.uk
Email: listing@culture.gov.uk

Where can I find out if a building is listed?

Details about listing can be obtained from your Local Authority.

Where can I find out about buildings at risk?

The English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register is published annually to bring together information on all Grade I and II* listed buildings or structural scheduled Ancient Monuments known to English Heritage to be ‘at risk’ through neglect, decay or redundancy, or are vulnerable to becoming so.

Where can I get details of listed buildings available to buy?
For details of listed buildings available to purchase please visit:

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings: www.spab.org.uk

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Where can I get advice on researching my family history?

English Heritage is unable to offer any advice on this matter. For assistance tracing your family history please try the following groups:

DeBrett Ancestry Research Tel: 01962 732 676

Society of Genealogists www.sog.org.uk

Public Records Office www.familyrecords.gov.uk

Where can I research the history of my local town?

The National Monuments Record (NMR), the public archive of English Heritage, is the best place to start. The NMR holds over 10 million photographs, plans and drawings of England’s architectural and archaeological landscape.

The collection contains a wide range of images including photographs of churches, industrial archaeology, houses, hospitals, WWII sites, medieval villages, hillforts and historic landscapes. We also hold aerial photography and information on maritime sites.

Our collections are used by the public interested in researching the history of their house, village or town, but we are equally used by academics, conservation groups, local societies and by commercial and professional organisations carrying out desk based assessments.

FAQs

ABOUT ENGLISH HERITAGE

Who is English Heritage? What does English Heritage do? How is English Heritage funded and how does it spend its resources? What is the charitable status of English Heritage? How are we different from the National Trust?

SUPPORTING US

WORKING FOR US

HISTORIC PROPERTIES

MEMBERSHIP

LOCAL ADVICE

OUR CONSERVATION WORK

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

ABOUT ENGLISH HERITAGE

SUPPORTING US

WORKING FOR US

HISTORIC PROPERTIES

LOCAL ADVICE

OUR CONSERVATION WORK

Useful tools

Who is English Heritage?
What does English Heritage do?
How is English Heritage funded and how does it spend its resources?
What is the charitable status of English Heritage?
How are we different from the National Trust?