Historic Buildings & Landscapes
English Heritage’s research into the historic built environment is aimed at raising awareness of the special character of our surroundings, at influencing decisions about the management of historic buildings and landscapes, and at promoting enjoyment of the heritage. Pressures on the historic environment vary enormously. In the countryside, areas might be affected by falling farm incomes, changes in the nature of Government and European funding regimes, or massive demand for new housing and tourism. Some towns and cities have suffered long-term decline and are re-inventing their purpose for the 21st century. Others face major re-development pressures. Down-at-heel or abandoned industrial areas that might be of considerable historic interest are being identified as brown-field sites ripe for new housing. Churches (the largest single group of listed buildings) and other places of worship often struggle with the consequences of falling congregations. Some become redundant and face demolition or new use; others are having to accommodate the demands made on old fabric by changing liturgical fashion and modern requirements for greater comfort and convenience.
The pre-requisite for good decision-making about the future of an historic building or place is knowledge. We need to know what it is we are dealing with; the values people attach to it; its vulnerability; and the solutions that have proved successful elsewhere.
Since knowledge is the essential pre-requisite of good decision-making, we are committed to the study of neglected or hitherto unrecognised elements of the built heritage. We also wish to develop new ways of understanding and interpreting it, and to create partnerships with other relevant disciplines and organisations. In the process of developing our research programmes we will work with partners such as local authorities, conservation bodies, building owners, local communities, universities and voluntary groups. Our work shows how buildings relate to their surroundings – a church to its churchyard and parish, a country house to its estate and the wider landscape. This forms part of a more holistic and integrated approach to understanding and managing the historic environment.
English Heritage’s buildings and landscapes research teams are based in Cambridge, London, Swindon and York. These teams are involved in longer-term thematic and area-based projects and they also investigate and research significant but often little-understood buildings at risk as part of a programme of strategic casework support. As well as raising awareness and providing for ‘informed conservation’, this work is undertaken to provide models for others involved in buildings and areas investigation and to contribute to the development of new ways of studying buildings and their wider landscapes. The results are disseminated through the National Monuments Record, through a wide variety of publications, conferences, exhibitions and electronic media. In addition to carrying out research itself, English Heritage increasingly acts as a facilitator by commissioning others to do this work. To assist in this process its staff run training courses and produce standards and guidance for use by all those involved in building recording and research. The research teams are also actively engaged in outreach programmes; the Blue Plaques programme, for example, is one which is built on public participation and underpinned by exemplary buildings and biographical research.
If you would like to learn more about English Heritage’s built environment research programmes and the other initiatives outlined above, please click on the menu at the left of the screen.
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