Heritage Counts

Updated 29 November 2023

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.
Culture and Heritage Capital
An economic approach for valuing our cultural heritage assets and the benefits they provide to people and businesses.
Estimating Retrofit Skills for Traditional Buildings
Use our interactive map to see the numbers of extra people needed to deliver retrofitting skills by each local authority.
Listed Building Owners and Occupiers Survey Findings
The findings from these surveys aims to build understanding of the challenges and opportunities of owning and occupying a listed building.

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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 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.