Heritage Counts

Updated 7 March 2024

Heritage Counts is a compendium of the best available evidence that might support advocacy for heritage and inform new initiatives. Historic environment professionals use the research collected here to understand the value of heritage and changes in the historic environment to develop policies to protect it and demonstrate its importance.

Additionally, within the Heritage Counts series is Heritage Indicator Data. These datasets collate a range of indicators that provide useful trends and statistics into the state of the historic environment around 8 themes.

Latest research updates

Discover some of our recent research projects.

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The Economic Value of the Heritage Sector
Each year, a detailed economic study is commissioned to capture the full economic ‘footprint’ of the heritage sector. Read more about its' impact here.
Life Satisfaction
Research by Historic England, funded by the Culture Heritage Capital programme, shows a clear connection between heritage and personal wellbeing.
Cultural Heritage, Creativity and the Creative Economy
Find out more about the relationship between the Creativity, Cultural Heritage and the Economy
Local Authority Staff
Conservation officers working in local authorities shared their views on the topic of improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings.

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Heritage and Society

Historic places help us connect with the places where we live. This section explores how they convey a sense of uniqueness, improve personal wellbeing, and are strong emotional pillars connecting communities across England.

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Heritage and the Economy

The historic environment has a close connection to economic activity. This section explores how many of our jobs and enterprises are dependent on, attracted to or based in historic buildings and spaces.

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Heritage and the Environment

This section looks at how the historic environment contributes to environmental outcomes, considering climate change, energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

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Heritage Indicators

Participation, Visits and Membership
Key indicators of the public’s engagement with the historic environment. This is done through national datasets and time-series figures from leading heritage sector organisations.
Funding and Resources
Datasets that track the funding provided to the sector by a selection of national funders and voluntary organisations.
Employment, Volunteering, Education and Training
Employment by local authorities in planning and conservation, heritage attractions, as well as local authorities’ expenditure on heritage.

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Previous reports

2020 – Know Your Home, Know Your Carbon
A new report outlining evidence demonstrating what owner-occupiers of historic homes can do to reduce their carbon emissions.
2019 – Carbon in the Built Historic Environment
In 2019, Heritage Counts looked at how reusing our built historic environment can reduce carbon.
2018 – Heritage in Commercial Use
In 2018, Heritage Counts focused on how commercial heritage assets are constantly evolving, adapting to new uses and new occupiers.
2017 – 50 Years of Conservation Areas
In 2017, Heritage Counts focused on 50 years of conservation areas.
2016 – Heritage and Place Branding
In 2016, Heritage Counts researched the value and practice of place branding and the significant role of heritage in place brands.
2015 – Caring for the Local Historic Environment
In 2015, Heritage Counts looked at research on the views and experiences of those responsible for looking after the local historic environment.
2014 – The Value and Impact of Heritage
In 2014, Heritage Counts looked at the social and economic value of heritage to communities, individuals and the economy
2013 – Skills in the Historic Environment Sector
In 2013, Heritage Counts looked at the skills within the historic environment.