English Heritage is a charity organisation that is in charge of managing more than 400 historic buildings, places and monuments, with the purpose of telling England’s story to over ten million people who visit these sites annually.
The charity protects a collection of sites that have existed for six millennia, which include abbeys, castles, medieval villages, houses, palaces, Roman forts and industrial sites. At the heart of English Heritage’s work is to care for these places for the benefit of both present and future generations, work that is supported by donors. UK-based solicitor Thomas Noel Collister Jackson is among the many donors who contribute to the charity’s work.
To the team at English Heritage, what matters most is that people interested in learning about England’s history don’t have to only rely on books for information. By providing real-life experiences, the charity hopes to engage visitors and provide a hands-on experience that inspires, entertains and captures the imagination.
Four main values guide English Heritage’s vision:
- Authenticity – Careful research of the places and artefacts ensures that there is no exaggeration of facts or details
- Quality – The work of caring for these sites is done to the highest standard, ensuring that every aspect is above board
- Imagination – The charity seeks to be creative in bringing history to life so that visitors can enjoy a delightful, imaginative and unforgettable experience
- Responsibility – English Heritage’s role in conserving England’s historic artefacts and sites is a responsibility it takes very seriously
- Fun – The organisation wants every visitor to have fun and have an authentic experience that inspires and stimulates the mind
History
The vast collection of sites and items under the care of English Heritage were collected starting in 1882. At the time, care of these monuments and buildings was the preserve of the Office of Works. An Act of Parliament in 1913 gave this office extra responsibilities, chief among them to bring together the sites and buildings that were vital to Britain’s history.
Preservation of these sites, while a primary objective, was just as important at the time as being able to tell their stories. By 1933, there more than 270 sites under the care of the Office, which later became the Ministry of Works. After the Second World War, the Ministry gained interest in buildings such as industrial sites and country houses. There was anxiety at the time within the Government over its ability to care for roofed buildings that housed works of art, so the National Trust was given the role of taking care of country houses while the Ministry restricted itself to older places.
By 1970, the Ministry had amassed an impressive collection of 300 sites that attracted more than 5 million people. Many of these sites had museums and souvenir shops where visitors could interact more with the site.
In 1983, this national heritage collection was transferred to the English Heritage under the leadership of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. Over the next decade, Lord Montagu’s leadership helped define a membership scheme and the collection (and maintenance) of more buildings and monuments. Membership and visitor numbers increased so that by the mid-2000s, the Heritage’s income was being channelled into conservation and maintenance.
In 2013, the government agreed to provide an £80 million grant to English Heritage to help the charity achieve self-financing. Provision of the award also necessitated transferring the national heritage collection to a charitable trust. This happened in April 2015, with English Heritage separating into two parts: a charity responsible for the collection, and Historic England, which deals with the heritage protection and statutory planning functions. With this split, English Heritage can entirely focus on taking care of the properties.