Rural Affairs

English Heritage has a significant stake in rural affairs. The majority of the historic properties in our care are located in the countryside, as are most scheduled monuments, archaeological sites and registered landscapes that we are charged with protecting.

The survival of countryside's historic sites,  buildings, landscape and character depend largely on  Government policies for land-use and agriculture.  For this reason, English Heritage works closely with Government and other agencies to ensure that heritage is represented and cared for in rural and environmental affairs.

English Heritage is involved in rural matters through its role as the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment, its involvement in heritage protection, its research and characterisation programmes, and its grant aid schemes.

We work closely with other major rural stakeholders including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission and Natural England. Alongside these agencies we are partners in the England Rural Development Plan.

We also work in partnership with voluntary sector organisations with a close interest in rural affairs, particularly the National Trust, The Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), and the Council for British Archaeology (CBA).

See the menu on the left for details of Rural and Environmental issues, publications, debates and campaigns that we have been involved with recently.