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Championing historic buildings and places of all ages and types. We have a particular interest in everyday heritage, hidden treasures and community favourites.

Historic Buildings & Places works to sustain, defend and promote all aspects of the built historic environment, for the benefit of all. We are one of the National Amenity Societies and are unique in defending buildings and places of all ages and all types. Historic Buildings & Places is the working name of the Ancient Monuments Society.

30/10/2026

🏰 Heritage highlight: Perrott’s Folly, Birmingham

Standing tall in Edgbaston since 1758, Perrott’s Folly, also known as The Monument, or The Observatory, is far more than an unusual tower.

Built by John Perrott, this Grade II* listed building later became a weather observatory, helping record Birmingham’s weather for generations. It’s also linked to one of the most famous stories in fantasy literature. J.R.R. Tolkien grew up nearby, and the folly and neighbouring Edgbaston Waterworks tower are often said to have inspired the two towers in The Lord of the Rings.

From historic observatories to everyday landmarks, our built heritage is full of surprises.

📷: ©Tony Hisgett (cc-by-sa/2.0)

28/10/2026

⏳ Last chance to book! Discover one of London’s hidden historic treasures.

Step inside Crosby Moran Hall, one of London’s most remarkable surviving medieval domestic buildings, for a rare opportunity to explore a private historic house that is not normally open to the public.

HB&P members can join us on Saturday 7 November 2026, 14:30–18:00, for an exclusive visit featuring a guided tour of the building, its fascinating architecture, historic interiors and collections, followed by a traditional afternoon tea prepared on site. ☕

Dating back to 1466–1475, the Great Hall has witnessed centuries of history, from its original home in Bishopsgate to its careful dismantling and reconstruction in Chelsea in 1910. Today, it offers a remarkable glimpse into London’s medieval past, alongside a collection of art and historic pieces.

✨ Don’t miss this special opportunity to experience a historic house rarely seen by the public.

🔗 Book your place: https://hbap.org.uk/events/2026-visit-to-crosby-moran-hall-london/

This event is exclusively for Historic Buildings & Places members.

26/10/2026

🎉 A bright future for a historic working boatyard!

Ellesmere Yard in Shropshire has secured £4.5 million in funding to support in securing the future of this historic working boatyard.

Built in 1806, this remarkable site is still a working base for canal maintenance more than 200 years later.

The plans include building repairs, spaces for community activities and heritage crafts, and better access for visitors. It means the yard can continue its working life while welcoming new people, skills and ideas.

It is wonderful to see investment that supports both the care of historic buildings and their continued use.

📷: © David Dixon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

23/10/2026

🎥 Missed one of our online talks? Catch up with our recordings!

From fascinating insights into historic buildings to the stories behind the places we cherish, our recorded online talks offer plenty to explore. Browse our recordings and discover talks from heritage experts, ready to watch whenever it suits you.

🏛️ Free for HB&P members, with most recordings available for just £4 for non-members.

👉 Explore the recordings: https://hbap.org.uk/event-category/recordings/

📷: Westernhope Burn Farmhouse, Stanhope, ft in our Online Talk: ‘Buildings in an Upland Landscape: The Vernacular Houses of Weardale’

22/10/2026

Earlier this year, Stuart attended the Valuing Seaside Heritage Symposium - Heritage Network, Seaside Heritage Network, and Historic Buildings & Places at Saltdean Lido, Brighton.

Over the two days, more than 100 people joined together to celebrate and explore seaside heritage through talks, tours, and networking.

Stuart presented the work of Grim&Gleeful, our Empire 130 project, and The Cleethorpes Promenados.

For a full article about the day, with a write up about Grim and Gleeful CIC, alongside other seaside heritage work in Ramsgate and West Sussex visit the Seaside Heritage Network website (link in our bio)

22/10/2026

On Tuesday we visited the magnificent Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich for a fascinating insight into the conservation of the Painted Hall.

We were joined by Hugh Broughton of Hugh Broughton Architects, who talked us through the Painted Hall conservation project, alongside Matthew Mees from the Old Royal Naval College team, who shared further insight into this remarkable historic site and the work involved in caring for it while it remains very much in use, welcoming visitors and hosting events.

A huge thank you to Hugh and Matthew for sharing their knowledge and expertise, and to the Old Royal Naval College for welcoming us.

Visits like these offer a valuable opportunity to explore the challenges, expertise and collaboration behind conserving our historic buildings for future generations.

21/10/2026

Casework spotlight: St Mary’s Church, Newton Abbot, Devon

How can historic churches continue to be used and enjoyed while retaining the features that make them special?

St Mary’s is a fine Grade II* listed Arts and Crafts church, designed by E.H. Sedding in 1905. Its striking west window gives little hint of the gloriously rich interior and careful detailing within.

We welcome aspects of proposals to extend the church’s use, including the remodelling of the new foyer. However, we have concerns about the proposed access arrangements, which we feel could be less complicated and disruptive.

We are particularly concerned about plans for bin enclosures either side of the west elevation. Sedding took great care over the church’s design, including two ogee-topped doors on the short return at each end of the narthex. The enclosures could hide these historic details, while bins could often spill out into the surrounding area.

We believe bin facilities should be located away from the church, helping to protect its architectural character and avoid potential health and safety concerns.

The proposals are still at pre-application stage. We hope there is an opportunity to address these concerns and find a way forward that respects the building while supporting its future use.

17/10/2026

📣 Final call to book your place!
What makes a Conservation Management Plan actually useful?

A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) can be a valuable tool for understanding what makes a historic building or place special, and for making informed decisions about its future. But where do you start, and what happens once the plan has been written?

Join us online on Monday 19 October for a practical introduction to Conservation Management Plans with Bryher Mason of Avalon Planning and Heritage.

We’ll explore:
• when a CMP is most useful
• how they are structured and delivered
• how they can be used in practice
• applying them to buildings great and small
• some handy dos and don’ts when commissioning one

Whether you’re considering a CMP or simply want to understand how they can help care for historic places, this talk is for you.

Monday 19 October 2026 | Online

Book your place https://hbap.org.uk/events/hbp-online-talk-the-principles-of-conservation-management-planning/

📷: Croft Castle, Herefordshire, National Trust

15/10/2026

New research published by the Welsh Government explores the contribution of the historic environment to jobs, the economy and communities across Wales.

The study estimates that heritage supports nearly 18,000 jobs, contributes more than £738 million to the Welsh economy each year and generates over £107 million in social value annually.

It also highlights the importance of volunteering, education and community engagement, alongside the need to address challenges such as climate pressures and maintenance.

Read the full research: https://www.gov.wales/research-reveals-true-scale-heritages-role-welsh-jobs-economy-and-communities

What role does your local heritage play in your community?

14/10/2026

With its distinctive red brickwork, ornate Flemish-inspired gables and impressive clock tower, Earlestown Town Hall is a Victorian landmark with a story to tell.

Designed by local architect Thomas Beesley and built in 1892–93, it began life as a public hall and offices before becoming the town hall. Its assembly hall once provided space for public gatherings, while the balcony was used for announcements and election results.

Now, work is nearing completion to help secure the future of this Grade II listed building, protecting a much-loved piece of Earlestown’s history.

Everyday heritage matters. These are the buildings that help shape a town’s identity and bring its history into the present.

📷: © Sue Adair (cc-by-sa/2.0)

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