English Heritage cares for over 400 historical buildings in the UK, monuments, buildings and places - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of an empire to a Cold War bunker.

Experience Stonehenge

Visit one of the most impressive wonders of the world. See the story of Stonehenge and our prehistoric ancestors brought to life through the world-class visitor centre. The London Blue Plaque scheme is believed to be the oldest of its kind in the world and celebrates notable figures and the places they lived and worked.

Hadrian's Wall

Discover Roman life along Hadrian's Wall, an epic World Heritage Site marching 73 miles across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England. English Heritage warns of threat of coastal erosion; identifies its six most vulnerable castles; and launches fundraising appeal to help save them More News Her Majesty The Queen, 1926-2022 More News

Houses & buildings

We look after over 300 historic buildings, from the grand and imposing to the small and quirky. Explore our places from afar and discover some of the stories behind our houses and the inhabitants who called them home. During the First World War Basildon Park was used as a convalescent home for officers and soldiers of the Berkshire regiments. The property gave local soldiers a place to recuperate and learn new skills.

Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire

In the 16th century, Cumbrian John Dryden was given the estate by his father-in-law. Using masonry from the fallen priory buildings, he first built a Tower House - something rarely found in this part of the country.

Monk's House, East Sussex

Monk's House is filled with the Woolfs impressive art collection and personal items. The unique character of the house is saturated with the spirit of not only the Woolfs but of the many artists, writers and thinkers who visited.

Mottisfont, Hampshire

Eight centuries of history are buried within Mottisfont's walls. An Augustinian priory was founded first in 1201, laying the foundations for the 18th-century structure that's now visible. Seaton Delaval Hall has finished restoration of its Vanbrugh designed cantilevered staircases and stone vaulted basement with beer and wine cellars.

Standen House and Garden, West Sussex

Designed by architect Philip Webb, the house draws inspiration from landscapes and historic buildings, while also preserving and incorporating some of the medieval farm buildings on the original site into the design.

Background

Although a limited number of 'ancient monuments' were given protection under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882, there was reluctance to restrict the owners of occupied buildings in their actions related to their property. The extensive damage to buildings caused by German bombing during World War II prompted efforts to list and protect buildings that were deemed to be of particular architectural merit. The basis of the current more comprehensive listing process was developed from the wartime system. It was enacted by a provision in the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 covering England and Wales, and the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1947 covering Scotland. Listing was first introduced into Northern Ireland under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. The listing process has since developed slightly differently in each part of the UK.

Heritage protection

The process of protecting the built historic environment (i.e. getting a heritage asset legally protected) is called 'designation'. Several different terms are used because the processes use separate legislation: buildings are 'listed'; ancient monuments are 'scheduled', wrecks are 'protected', and battlefields, gardens and parks are 'registered'. A heritage asset is a part of the historic environment that is valued because of its historic, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest. Only some of these are judged to be important enough to have extra legal protection through designation. But, buildings that are not formally listed but still judged as being of heritage interest are still regarded as being a material consideration in the planning process. As a very rough guide, listed buildings are structures considered of special architectural and historical importance. Ancient monuments are of 'national importance' containing evidential values, and can on many occasions also relate to below ground or unoccupied sites and buildings.

Eligibility

Almost anything can be listed. Buildings and structures of special historic interest come in a wide variety of forms and types, ranging from telephone boxes and road signs, to castles. Historic England has created twenty broad categories of structures, and published selection guides for each one to aid with assessing buildings and structures. These include historical overviews and describe the special considerations for listing each category.

Listing and delisting preocedure

In England, to have a building considered for listing or delisting, the process is to apply to the secretary of state; this can be done by submitting an application form online to Historic England. The applicant does not need to be the owner of the building to apply for it to be listed. Full information including application form guidance notes are on the Historic England website official residence north Yorkshire.

Historic England assesses buildings put forward for listing or delisting and provides advice to the Secretary of State on the architectural and historic interest. The Secretary of State, who may seek additional advice from others, then decides whether to list or delist the building historic houses of british history.England and Wales: Legislation

In England and Wales, the authority for listing is granted to the Secretary of State by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Listed buildings in danger of decay are listed on the Historic England 'Heritage at Risk' Register unesco world heritage site westminster abbey. In 1980 there was public outcry at the sudden destruction of the art deco Firestone Tyre Factory (Wallis, Gilbert and Partners, 1928–29). It was demolished over the August bank holiday weekend by its owners Trafalgar House, who had been told that it was likely to be 'spot-listed' a few days later. In response, the government undertook to review arrangements for listing buildings in order to protect worthy ones from such demolition warwick castle in tudor period . In England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) works with Historic England (an agency of the DCMS), and other government departments, e.g. Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to deliver the government policy on the protection to historic buildings and other heritage assets. The decision about whether or not to list a building is made by the Secretary of State, although the process is administered in England by Historic England.