The Greater London Historic Environment Record (formerly the Greater London Sites and Monuments Record) manages the most complete computerised database of designated and non-designated historic assets (sites of archaeological and historic importance) within Greater London .
The database, one of the largest in the country, contains over 72,000 records from the earliest human occupation of the area that is now Greater London through to the Cold War. Over the last five years the GLHER team has added an average of 2,400 new records to the database each year. The GLHER database system (used by over 70% of English HERs) also includes information on references and supporting material, some of which is held by the GLHER. This includes a small reference library, journal articles, a copy of the original archaeological card index for Greater London and 6,800 archaeological and building records reports. Both the card index and the reports have been recently scanned and linked to the GLHER database.
A summary version of the GLHER can be searched online at the Heritage Gateway, go to `Advanced Search', select `Search Criteria', including `Where', go to `Resources' and tick the `Greater London HER' box.
The main role of the London HER is to provide information on the known historic environment in order to inform decision making in the planning process , but also to enhance understanding of the historic environment of Greater London generally.
Each year the GLHER receives over 500 consultations, either by written or telephone enquiry, or by personal visits to the Record. These users consist of colleagues within EH, planning and environmental consultants, archaeological contractors, students, private individuals, and professional colleagues within regional and national organizations, such as the London boroughs and the Environment Agency.
It is therefore essential our data is easily accessible in a variety of mediums and that the results of new archaeological and historic building investigations are integrated back into the database as quickly as possible.
Our general email address is:
glher@english-heritage.org.uk
This change of name from GLSMR is a reflection of our commitment to increasing the quantity of historic environment information the GLHER will hold.
New charges for commercial requests for GLHER information
After assessing the service we provide we are making some changes to our charging policy. This is the first change in six years and brings us in line with HERs generally and helps us to continue to make improvements to the GLHER. Rather than charge a single flat fee, we are introducing a two tier charging system for commercial enquiries:
- Standard Response (7 working days turnaround): £45+VAT for the first hour, and half-hour increments thereafter.
- Priority Response (48hrs turnaround): £100+VAT for the first hour and thereafter £45+VAT per half-hourly increments. This is for a 6 month trial period.
- There is no charge for academic or private enquiries.
The London HER is a public resource and we would like to encourage access to this invaluable source of archaeological information for academic or private research.
Greater London Historic Environment Record
English Heritage
1 Waterhouse Square
138 - 142 Holborn
London EC1N 2ST
Email: glher@english-heritage.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7973 3731 / 3779
Consulting the GLHER
For those wishing to visit the record personally there is a public access desk available with a computer holding the GLHER database. An appointment must be made in advance in order to ensure staff are available to show visitors how to locate information and use the GLHER database.
For those unable to visit the record personally to carry out their research, GLHER information can be emailed or posted. Generally this information includes:
- an html file or MS Word document of GLHER records,
- details of any designated assets and,
- a map of the search area.
Other formats will be provided, where possible, on request.
Commercial searches are charged a fee , but usually non-commercial searches are free, although the GLHER does reserve the right to charge for non-commercial searches in certain circumstances. Further details on access and charging policy to the GLHER may be found in the published GLHER Access and Charging Policy. Requests for information may be refused if it is considered that it may be used for any illegal activity. The information supplied may only be used for the purposes of the original request. If information is refused for any reason then a written explanation will be provided. Performance in dealing with enquiries will be recorded and monitored on a monthly basis. Each quarter questionnaires will be sent to a sample of users to assess user satisfaction with the GLHER.
