Historic England

A new heritage badge with Girlguiding North West England called Legacy Explorers, produced in partnership with us, is being launched today. 🎖️ Members will be able to explore guiding heritage and how it has developed since 1910, the heritage of their local area, and why where they live is special.

This majestic tower keep is one of the most significant Norman buildings in England. 😍 Hedingham Castle in Essex was built in the 12th century by Aubrey de Vere, the first Earl of Oxford and grandson of one of William the Conqueror’s most important knights. The castle has recently been added to our #HeritageAtRisk Register as the keep is at risk of decay due to problems caused by water leakage, which could lead to long-term damage.

Do you recognise this landmark? 👀 This photograph shows the construction of Tower Bridge in London in the late 19th century. The bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones, and it was built using 11,000 tonnes of steel and an enormous 22,000 litres of paint. Built between 1886 and 1894, the bridge crosses the River Thames and was constructed to provide better access routes to the East End of London following the increase of commerce in the area.

A new national blue plaque to actor and Hollywood film star Cary Grant has been unveiled at his early childhood home, 50 Berkeley Road in Bristol. 🔵 From screwball comedies to classic thrillers, Grant captivated audiences with his charm and charisma in films like ‘Bringing up Baby’ and ‘North by Northwest.' The plaque was unveiled by Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism Minister Sir Chris Bryant, Historic England Chief Executive Duncan Wilson, and Cary Comes Home Festival Director Dr Charlotte Crofts. Our national blue plaque scheme is run on behalf of Department for Culture, Media and Sport. If you're visiting the national blue plaque soon in Bristol, an internationally recognised UNESCO City of Film, check out the Cary Comes Home Festival, running from 29 November to 1 December, with a showing of 'North By Northwest' on opening night. 📽️ Clip courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2024 WBEI. Photo credits: Bristol Live/BPM MEDIA and Copyright Courtesy Estate of Cary Grant. Bristol UNESCO City of Film

Wing's Place in Ditchling was once the property of Anne of Cleves, King Henry VIII's fourth wife. 👑 Formerly part of a priory, Ditchling Garden Manor, as it was then known, was one of many manors granted to Anne in the couple's divorce settlement in 1540. Despite often being known as 'Anne of Cleves House,' the former Queen never actually lived in it. 📷 This photograph, taken by Herbert Tuppen in the 1930s/40s, is one of over 14 million photographs, drawings, reports, and publications in the Historic England Archive. Browse our online collection: ➡️https://lnkd.in/e2rnaKgt #ExploreYourArchive

Every year, we publish Heritage Indicator Data as part of #HeritageCounts. 📊 This data tracks trends in the historic environment, such as visitor numbers, funding, planning, volunteering and more, helping professionals understand changes and shape policies to protect our heritage. 🏛️ Read the 2024 reports here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eMtJcqiC

What is the oldest castle in England? 🏰 Clifford’s Tower is a well-known landmark in the city of York. The motte on which the later tower stands is probably a surviving remnant of a castle built by William the Conqueror between 1068 and 1069. This was part of a large motte and bailey castle, which became one of the key administrative sites in the north of England in the later Middle Ages. Later, it became the site of York’s prison and law courts, and the courts and some of the prison buildings still stand within the former bailey. Find out more about the oldest castles in England ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e_fHNTZe

St Botolph’s Church in West Sussex contains paintings that are some of the earliest and most complete examples to survive in England. 🤩 It is one of many sites added to the #HeritageAtRisk Register this year, a list of historic places needing protection. Though unassuming from the outside, St. Botolph's hides a surprising secret. Inside, it is full of rare wall paintings from the early 12th century. The incredible scenes depicting famous biblical figures like Adam and Eve and St. George were hidden under whitewash until the 1860s. However, due to environmental factors inside the church, they are now at risk, so a programme of monitoring, analysis and conservation is required.

The Oxford Arms Inn in London was originally built in the 16th century and rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1666. It was still occupied when photographed here in 1875 but was threatened by demolition. It was pulled down 3 years later, making way for a range of new houses. Britain was slow to create a state-sponsored programme to protect and record the historic environment. In the 19th century, concerned individuals and groups helped to fill the gap. An early group was the Society for Photographing Relics of Old London. It was formed in 1875 to record historic buildings threatened by development and made copies of its photographs available to subscribers. Photographers Alfred and John Bool captured this photo of the Oxford Arms Inn for the Society.

Moot Hall in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, is one of the best-preserved Tudor public buildings in England. 🧱 The Burgess of Aldeburgh built the hall in the early 16th century at a time when the town was enjoying a notable period of prosperity that lasted around 150 years. Previously known as the Town Hall, it once housed several merchant shops. The timber-framed building was rebuilt in the mid-19th century when it became known as the Moot Hall.