Plans, Drawings and Documents

Our collections include thousands of architectural drawings, plans and reports which describe many different aspects of the historic environment.

Here you can find examples of the types of records we hold in our collection such as:

  • Building files - We hold files on over 70,000 individual buildings. These files can include reports, notes, drawings and photographs created by the Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME) and English Heritage.
  • Plans and documents
  • Measured drawings - We hold over 56,000 architectural drawings, including plans, elevations, sketches and watercolours. We also hold over 60,000 plans and drawings of English Heritage properties.
  • Sales particulars - We hold a large series of sales particulars. These are brochures advertising the sales of estates and properties across England, from the late 19th and 20th centuries. They often include plans and photographs as well as written descriptions.
  • Survey notes - Our collections also include the original survey notes created for the RCHME Inventory volumes. These contain photographs and sketches alongside the handwritten descriptions of historic buildings.

More collections from the Archive

Explore other collections held by the Archive and find out how you could contribute.

Archive Customer Services

  • Address

    The Engine House,
    Fire Fly Avenue,
    Swindon,
    SN2 2EH