English Heritage

This article is about the post-April 2015 registered charity. For the statutory body with responsibility for listing, see Historic England.

English Heritage (officially the English Heritage Trust) is a charity that manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places. These include prehistoric sites, medieval castles, Roman forts, and country houses.

English Heritage

English Heritage's logo
Predecessor	The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, also known as English Heritage
Formation	1 April 2015 (2015-04-01); Preceding English Heritage government agency, formed 1983
Type	Charity
Registration no.	1140351
Headquarters	The Engine House, Swindon
Region	England
Fields	Heritage
Membership (2014/15^[1]^[2])	1.34 million
Chairman	Gerard Lemos
Chief Executive	Dr. Nick Merriman, OBE^[3]
Revenue (2014/15)	£74.5 million^[1]
Expenses (2014/15)	£176.2 million^[1]
Staff (2015)	2,699^[1]
Volunteers (2014/15)	1,872^[1]
Website	www.english-heritage.org.uk

The charity states that it uses these properties to "bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year". Within its portfolio are Stonehenge, Dover Castle, Tintagel Castle, and the best preserved parts of Hadrian's Wall. English Heritage also manages the London blue plaque scheme, which links influential historical figures to particular buildings.

When originally formed in 1983, English Heritage was the operating name of an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government, officially titled the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, that ran the national system of heritage protection and managed a range of historic properties.^[4] It was created to combine the roles of existing bodies that had emerged from a long period of state involvement in heritage protection. In 1999, the organisation merged with the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England and the National Monuments Record, bringing together resources for the identification and survey of England's historic environment.

On 1 April 2015, English Heritage was divided into two parts: Historic England, which inherited the statutory and protection functions of the old organisation, and the new English Heritage Trust, a charity that would operate the historic properties, and which took on the English Heritage operating name and logo.^[5][4][6] The British government gave the new charity an £80 million grant to help establish it as an independent trust, although the historic properties remain in the ownership of the state.

History

Non-departmental public body

Over the centuries, what is now called "heritage" has been the responsibility of a series of state departments. There was the "Kings Works" after the Norman Conquest, the Office of Works (1378–1832), the Office of Woods, Forests, Land Revenues and Works (1832–1851), and the Ministry of Works (1851–1962). Responsibility subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (1962–1970), then to the Department of the Environment (1970–1997), and it is now with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).^[7] The state's legal responsibility for the historic environment goes back to the Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882.^[8] The central government subsequently developed several systems of heritage protection for different types of assets, introducing listing for buildings after World War II, and for conservation areas in the 1960s.

In 1983, Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Heseltine gave national responsibility for the historic environment to a semi‑autonomous agency (or "quango") to operate under ministerial guidelines and to government policy. The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission was formed under the terms of the National Heritage Act 1983 on 1 April 1984.^[2][9] The 1983 Act also dissolved the bodies that had previously provided independent advice – the Ancient Monuments Board for England and the Historic Buildings Council for England – and incorporated those functions into the new body. Soon after, the commission was given the operating name of English Heritage by its first chairman, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.^[4]

 

English Heritage commemorative plaques conference, 2010. English Heritage began administering the London blue plaque scheme in 1986.

A national register of historic parks and gardens, (e.g. Rangers House, Greenwich) was set up in 1984,^[10] and a register for historic battlefields (e.g. the Battle of Tewkesbury) was created in March 1995.^[11] 'Registration' is a material consideration in the planning process. In April 1999 English Heritage merged with the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME)^[12] and the National Monuments Record (NMR), bringing together resources for the identification and survey of England's historic environment. By adoption, that included responsibility for the national record of archaeological sites from the Ordnance Survey, the National Library of Aerial Photographs, and two million RAF and Ordnance Survey aerial photographs. Those, together with other nationally important external acquisitions, meant that English Heritage was one of the largest publicly accessible archives in the UK: 2.53 million records are available online, including more than 426,000 images. In 2010–11, it recorded 4.3 million unique online user sessions^[13] and over 110,000 people visited NMR exhibitions held around the country in 2009–10.^[14] In 2012, the section responsible for archive collections was renamed the English Heritage Archive.

As a result of the National Heritage Act 2002, English Heritage acquired administrative responsibility for historic wrecks and submerged landscapes within 12 miles (19 km) of the English coast.^[15] The administration of the listed building system was transferred from DCMS to English Heritage in 2006. However, actual listing decisions still remained the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who was required by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to approve a list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

Following the Public Bodies Reform^[16] in 2010, English Heritage was confirmed as the government's statutory adviser on the historic environment, and the largest source of non-lottery grant funding for heritage assets.^[17] It was retained on grounds of "performing a technical function which should remain independent from Government". However, the department also suffered from budget cuts during the recession of the 2010s, resulting in a repairs deficit of £100 million.^[6]

Charitable trust

In June 2013 the British Government announced plans to provide an £80 million grant to enable English Heritage to become a self-financing charity (roughly following the precedent set by the transformation of the nationally owned British Waterways into the Canal & River Trust). The national portfolio of historic properties remain in public ownership, but the new English Heritage will be licensed to manage them.^[18][19][20]

The change occurred on 1 April 2015 with the statutory planning and heritage protection functions remaining an independent, non-departmental public body, rebranded as Historic England. The care of the properties in the National Collection and the visitor experience attached to them were transferred to the new English Heritage Trust, although the English Heritage name and logo remains.^[5][4] The new trust has a licence to operate the properties until 2023.^[21]

National Collection

 

Stonehenge, one of English Heritage's most famous sites

 

Stonehenge visitor centre. Opened in December 2013, over 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the monument, just off the A360 road in Wiltshire.

Main article: List of English Heritage properties

English Heritage is the guardian of over 400 sites and monuments, the most famous of which include Stonehenge, Osborne, Iron Bridge and Dover Castle. Whilst many have an entry charge, more than 250 properties are free to enter^[22] including Maiden Castle, Dorset and St Catherine's Oratory.

The sites are part of the portfolio of over 880 historical places across the UK amassed by the British Government between the 1880s and the 1970s to form the National Collection of built and archaeological heritage. (The balance is in the care of Historic Scotland and Cadw.) These sites represent a deliberate attempt by the state in the 19th and early 20th century to take the nation's most significant prehistoric sites and medieval sites, which were no longer in active use, into public ownership.^[23] This national property collection performs the same function as pictures in the National Gallery and the archaeological material in the British Museum.

Unlike the National Trust, English Heritage holds few furnished properties, although Charles Darwin's home at Down, Kent (where he wrote On the Origin of Species) and Brodsworth Hall, South Yorkshire are major exceptions to this. New sites are rarely added to the collection as other charities and institutions are now encouraged to care for them and open them to the public.^[23] Recent acquisitions include Harmondsworth Barn in west London, close to Heathrow airport, in late 2011 and Carrawburgh Roman Fort in January 2020.^[24]

The properties are held by English Heritage under various arrangements. The majority are in the guardianship of the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with the freehold being retained by the owner. The remaining properties are owned either by English Heritage, other government departments or the Crown Estate.^[14]

In 2013–14 there were 5.73 million visits to staffed sites, with 713,000 free educational visits to sites, collections and tailored learning activities and resources.^[2]

In February 2024, English Heritage reported that the previous year had seen record numbers of families visiting their sites, with numbers up 50% over the past decade. 2023 also proved to be a record-breaking year for a number of sites, such as Tintagel Castle.^[25]

Selected collection highlights

•  
  Rembrandt: van Rijn
•  
  Joseph Mallord: William Turner

Funding

As a charitable trust, English Heritage relies on the income generated from admission fees to its properties, membership fees and trading income from (e.g.) catering, holiday cottages and shops. It also has income from fundraising and grants. To ease the transition, the government has supplied a total of £80 million in yearly subsidies until 2023 to cover the backlog of maintenance to the sites in English Heritage's care.^[26]

Previously, when English Heritage was a non-departmental public body and included the functions of planning, listing, awarding grants, heritage research and advice, most of its funding came from government. In 2013–2014, English Heritage had a total income of £186.55 million, of which £99.85 million came from grant-in-aid, with the remaining £86.7 million from earned sources. This included £17.47 million from property admissions, £14.96 million from catering and retail, £22.91 million from membership and £26.39 million from donations and grants.^[2]

The trust's financial plan saw the annual requirement for subsidy being cut from £15.6 million in 2015/16 to £10.1 million in 2020/21 and zero in 2022/23.^[26]

Membership

Members of the public are encouraged to join English Heritage as "members". Membership provides benefits such as free admission to its properties and member-only events as well as reduced-cost admission to associated properties.^[27] Members also get access for free or reduced cost to properties managed by Cadw in Wales, Historic Scotland, the Office of Public Works in the Republic of Ireland, Manx National Heritage on the Isle of Man and Heritage New Zealand.^[28] In 2014/15 there were 1.34 million members.^[1] However, membership does not convey voting rights or influence over the way English Heritage is run.

Participation in consultations and web-based surveys by English Heritage is not restricted to its membership.^[29] It invites various groups and members of the public to give views on specific issues, most notably in recent years about the Stonehenge road tunnel project proposals.

Volunteering

The organisation welcomes volunteers. Roles range from room stewarding, running education workshops and gardening, to curatorial cleaning and research.^[30]

In 2014/15 the number of regular volunteers reached 1,872, up from 1,473 in 2013/14.^[2][1]

1066 March

In 2016, to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of 1066, English Heritage organised the 1066 March from Clifford's Tower in York to Battle Abbey in East Sussex.^[31][32] A team of volunteers led by Nigel Amos and composed of Dominic Sewell, Brian Mahoney, Joshua Powell, William Ballance, Lucy Amos, Karlos Moir, Clive Hart and Matthew Clarke, completed the journey over 3 weeks,^[33][34] arriving at Battle Abbey on 14 October 2016.^[32]

Management and governance

 

English Heritage's London office at Holborn Bars

English Heritage is governed by a trustee board who set the strategic direction of the organisation and ensure that the organisation delivers its goals and objectives. It is led by the chairman, currently Gerard Lemos.^[35] Other trustees are Sarah Staniforth CBE, Vicky Barnsley OBE, Kay Boycott, Liz Bromley, Tony Cates, Tanvi Gokhale, Sir Laurie Magnus CBE, Kunle Olulode MBE, Sue Wilkinson and William Whyte.^[36]

Operational management is delegated to the chief executive, Nick Merriman.^[36] The chief executive is supported by an executive board of eight directors.^[36]

In 2013/14, prior to becoming a charity, English Heritage employed 2,578 staff.^[2]

Blue plaque

Main article: Blue plaque

 

A typical English Heritage "blue plaque", here marking the former London residence of guitarist Jimi Hendrix at 23 Brook Street

English Heritage has administered the blue plaque scheme in London since 1986. The plaques mark buildings in the capital that were the homes of (or otherwise associated with) people of historical significance. The scheme remains the responsibility of English Heritage following the transfer to the voluntary sector in 2015.^[37][38]

For a short period from 1998 English Heritage trialled plaques outside the Greater London area. Plaques were erected in Merseyside, Birmingham and elsewhere; but the scheme was discontinued in 2005.

Many other plaques have been erected throughout the UK (including London) by town councils, district councils, civic societies, historical societies, fan clubs, companies, and individuals. These are not managed or require approval from English Heritage. An open register is available at Open Plaques.^[39]

Controversies

English Heritage sites in Cornwall

In 1999 a pressure group, the Revived Cornish Stannary Parliament, wrote to English Heritage asking them to remove all signs bearing their name from Cornish sites by July 1999 as they regarded the ancient sites as Cornish heritage, not English. Over a period of eleven months members of the Cornish Stannary removed 18 signs and a letter was sent to English Heritage saying "The signs have been confiscated and held as evidence of English cultural aggression in Cornwall. Such racially motivated signs are deeply offensive and cause distress to many Cornish people". On 18 January 2002, at Truro Crown Court, after the prosecution successfully applied for a Public Immunity Certificate to suppress defence evidence (these are normally issued in cases involving national security), three members of the group agreed to return the signs and pay £4,500 in compensation to English Heritage and to be bound over to keep the peace. In return, the prosecution dropped charges of conspiracy to cause criminal damage.^[40]

In 2011, Conservative MP George Eustice stated that Cornish heritage "is not English" and that there is "a growing feeling that Cornwall should have its own heritage organisation, taking over from English Heritage."^[41] He suggested that English Heritage be replaced "with a Cornish Heritage group, just like they have for instance in Wales and Scotland."^[42] The then Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt was called upon to give cash to a new autonomous body in Cornwall by "top slicing" English Heritage's budget.^[43]

Fortress House

 

Fortress House: the former London headquarters of English Heritage at 23 Savile Row, now demolished

In 2006, The Secretary of State at the DCMS issued a certificate of exemption from listing for Fortress House, the then English Heritage headquarters.^[44] In 2009, it was demolished and the site redeveloped for a commercial office building.^[45]

Photography

In 2010 the organisation sent an email to open access photograph agency fotoLibra, attempting to ban the unauthorised commercial use of photographs of Stonehenge. A subsequent statement of regret was issued, clarifying that "We do not control the copyright of all images of Stonehenge and have never tried to do so." The organisation added that they request that commercial photographers pay fees and abide by certain conditions.^[46]

Youth Engagement

Since 2018, English Heritage's highly successful national youth engagement project, Shout Out Loud, has provided a platform for young people to explore heritage sites and collections across England, helping them to uncover untold stories from our past.^[47] By amplifying their voices, the now permanent youth engagement programme continues to put young people's ideas and stories at the heart of English Heritage, engendering feelings of inclusion and relevance via increased representation and creative opportunities for involvement. Shout Out Loud was originally funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of Kick the Dust.^[48]

Shout Out Loud established a successful consortium of partners between 2018 and 2022 including Photoworks,^[49] the Council for British Archaeology,^[50] National Youth Theatre^[51] and Sound Connections.^[52] A number of high-profile projects were delivered with these partners including: Reverberate,^[53] a project aimed at connecting grassroot youth organisations with their local heritage (with Sound Connections); England's New Lenses,^{[54][55][56][57]} a photography project resulting in new bodies of work connected to English Heritage sites from four emerging photographers (with Photoworks); 'The Ancestors',^[58][59][60] a performance based project exploring Black prisoners of War at Portchester Castle (with the National Youth Theatre and Warwick University) and 'Our House',^[61][62] exploring LGBTQ+ history at Eltham Palace (with the National Youth Theatre and Metro Charity); 'From Ordinary to Extraordinary',^[63] a project supporting national Young Archaeologists' Clubs^[64] to creatively explore and share their local history with new audiences (with the Council for British Archaeology).

Shout Out Loud was awarded the 2019 UK Heritage Award for Best Event, Festival or Exhibition for 'Our House'^[65][66] and shortlisted for the 2022 Museums and Heritage Award for Community Engagement Programme of the Year for the programme as a whole.^[67]

Young People are able to get involved with the ongoing youth engagement programme via online mass participation projects, creative residency or participation opportunities (often shared on the dedicated Instagram channel @eh_shoutoutloud), via projects as part of a youth group,^[68] or by joining one of the ongoing schemes 'Young Associates' (ages 16–25, no application necessary, join at any time)^[69] or Young Producers (ages 18–25, applications open once a year).^[70] Paid six month placement opportunities are also available once or twice per year. Previous placement holders have gone on to positions with the BBC, The National Archives, Netflix, Warner Brothers and the National Trust.

See also

•  Architecture portal
•  England portal
•  History portal
•  United Kingdom portal

• Battle of the Beanfield
• Castles in Great Britain and Ireland
• Festival of History
• Historic Chapels Trust
• List of English Heritage properties
• List of monastic houses in England

Similar organisations

• Cadw
• Historic Environment Scotland
• Manx National Heritage
• National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty

References

1. (PDF). Historic England. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
2. . Historic England. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
3. "English Heritage: Our People". English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
4. "Our History". English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
5. "New Era for English Heritage". English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
6. Lean, Geoffrey (28 February 2015). "Does our history have a future in the hands of the English Heritage Trust?". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
7. English Heritage leaflet "The evolution of the National Monument Record"
8. . Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
9. "National Heritage Act 1983". Retrieved 13 May 2011.
10. Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England: "Report and Accounts 1983–1985" p26
11. English Heritage Annual Report and Accounts "Working in Partnership" 1994/1995 p 6 & 41
12. Conservation Bulletin, Issue 35, April 1999
13. "English Heritage Annual Report 2010–2011". English Heritage. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
14. English Heritage 2009–2010 Annual Report and Accounts
15. "National Heritage Act 2002". Retrieved 13 May 2011.
16. "Public Bodies Reform – Proposals For Change" (PDF). Retrieved 13 May 2011.
17. "Historic Environment". Retrieved 13 May 2011.
18. "£80 Million Boost for Heritage". English Heritage. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
19. "English Heritage to become a charitable trust". Salon: Society of Antiquaries of London Online Newsletter. 301. 1 July 2013.
20. . PrimeResi.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
21. "Historic England and the English Heritage Trust". Historic England. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
22. "See English Heritage history for free". April 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
23. "English Heritage Information Pack 2010". Retrieved 10 May 2011.
24. "Hadrian's Wall Roman fort 'gifted to the nation'". BBC News. 9 January 2020.
25. "Record numbers of families visited English Heritage sites in 2023". English Heritage. English Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
26. . English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
27. "Join". English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
28. "Other Associated Attractions". English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
29. "Consultations". English Heritage. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
30. Volunteer. English Heritage. Retrieved on 7 April 2015.
31. "March into 1066". English Heritage.
32. "1066: Battle of Hastings anniversary marked 950 years on". BBC News. 14 October 2016.
33. Shute, Joe (9 October 2016). "In the steps of Harold's army, via the B1052". The Sunday Telegraph. p. 26.
34. Sanderson, David (8 October 2016). "Marchers celebrate 1066 and all that". THE TIMES. p. 21.
35. "English Heritage announces social policy expert Gerard Lemos as its next Chair". English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
36. "Our People". English Heritage. English Heritage Trust. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
37. "The commemoration of historians under the blue plaque scheme in London". Retrieved 16 May 2011.
38. "Local Government Act 1985, Schedule 2 Listed buildings, conservation areas and ancient monuments". Retrieved 16 May 2011.
39. "Open Plaques".
40. "Historic signs case trio bound over". BBC News. 18 January 2002. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
41. . This is Cornwall. 29 September 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
42. "Cornish MP is critical of English Heritage". BBC News. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
43. . This is Cornwall. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
44. Joseph Mirwitch (May 2006). . The Twentieth Century Society. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
45. . Mace. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
46. Cheesman, Chris (22 October 2010). . Amateur Photographer. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2011. The storm centred on a message sent to picture agency fotoLibra which read: 'We are sending you an email regarding images of Stonehenge on your fotoLibra website. [...] The statement, published on the English Heritage website, adds: 'We do not control the copyright of all images of Stonehenge and have never tried to do so. [...] 'If a commercial photographer enters the land within our care with the intention of taking a photograph of the monument for financial gain, we ask that they pay a fee and abide by certain conditions.
47. "Home". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
48. "What is Kick the Dust? | The National Lottery Heritage Fund". www.heritagefund.org.uk. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
49. "Photoworks UK | Commissions new photography, produces exhibitions". Photoworks. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
50. CBA. "Homepage". www.archaeologyuk.org. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
51. "National Youth Theatre of Great Britain | National Youth Theatre". www.nyt.org.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
52. "Sound Connections | Changing Lives Through Music". www.sound-connections.org.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
53. "Reverberate". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
54. "England's New Lenses at Wrest Park". English Heritage. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
55. "England's New Lenses". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
56. Mouhandes, Dina (7 July 2021). "Photoworks X English Heritage". Photoworks. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
57. Mistlin, Sasha (1 August 2021). "Young photographers reshape our visions of 'English' heritage". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
58. "The Ancestors". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
59. "The Ancestors". warwick.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
60. "The Ancestors: Uncovering Their Journey". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
61. "Our House". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
62. OUR HOUSE | The Documentary (2021), retrieved 4 August 2023
63. CBA. "From Ordinary to Extraordinary". www.archaeologyuk.org. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
64. Club, Young Archaeologists'. "Welcome to the Young Archaeologists' Club! - Archaeology for you". www.yac-uk.org. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
65. "Our House - Shout Out Loud wins UK Heritage Award | National Youth Theatre". www.nyt.org.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
66. "Theatre project wins National Heritage Award | METRO Charity". metrocharity.org.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
67. "Community Engagement Programme of the Year – Museums + Heritage Awards". Retrieved 4 August 2023.
68. "Contact". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
69. "Become a Young Associate". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
70. "Meet the Young Producers". Shout Out Loud. Retrieved 4 August 2023.

Further reading

• Thurley, Simon (2013). Men from the Ministry: How Britain Saved its Heritage. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-19572-9.

External links

• Official website
• "Heritage", BBC Radio 4 discussion with David Cannadine, Miri Rubin & Peter Mandler (In Our Time, 18 July 2002)
• English Heritage within Google Arts & Culture
•   Media related to English Heritage at Wikimedia Commons