Useful links for conservation, heritage and historic buildings

There are many national and local societies and groups who give valuable advice on the care of the built heritage of our country.

Some are able to offer financial assistance.

• CABE (The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment): non-departmental public body concerned for the creation of quality buildings and public spaces

• SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings): national pressure group fighting to save old buildings from decay, demolition and damage

• English Heritage: employ architects, archaeologists and historians and they aim to help people understand and appreciate why the historic buildings and landscapes around them matter

• Heritage At Risk Register 2012 (East Midlands): latest comprehensive list of all Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings at risk in Charnwood in addition to those Conservation Areas identified as being under threat by English Heritage

• Listed Property Owners Club: provide advice and information gained from personal experience

• Building Conservation: web magazine of what’s new in building conservation, with a directory of services, suppliers and products

• Images of England: a national library of photographs of historic buildings and other heritage treasures

• SAVE: (Save Britains Heritage) campaign publicly for endangered historic buildings

• Institute of Historic Building Conservation: offer membership and advice to all who are interested

• The Architectural Heritage Fund: registered charity helping voluntary and community groups to regenerate historic buildings by providing advice, information, grants and low interest loans

• Funds for Historic Buildings: directory of funding sources for repairs to historic buildings

• The Ancient Monument Society: charity for the study and conservation of historic buildings of all ages and all types

• The National Churches Trust: national, independent, charity dedicated to promoting and supporting church buildings of historic, architectural and community value across the UK

• The Georgian Group: charity dedicated to preserving Georgian buildings and gardens

• ICOMOS: (International Council on Monuments and Sites) international non-governmental organization of professionals, dedicated to the conservation of the world's historic monuments and sites

• Association for Preservation Technology International: promotes the best technology for conserving historic structures and their settings

• The Landmark Trust: charity established in 1965 to rescue historic and architecturally interesting buildings and their surroundings from neglect. When restored, the buildings are given new life by letting them for holidays, promoting enjoyment of then by enabling as many people as possible to experience living in them for a short time

• The Church Monument Society: encourage the appreciation, study and conservation of church monuments of all types and periods

• RUDI: (Resource for Urban Design Information)

• Pevsner Architectural Guides: provide up-to-date guides to the most significant buildings in every part of the country, suitable for both general reader and specialist. Please note: Website link no longer works, but guides can be purchased via Amazon.

• Council for British Archaeology: non-governmental organisation that promotes knowledge, appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and future generations. 

• The Archaeology Data Service: supports research, learning and teaching with high quality and dependable digital resources

• The Civic Trust: works with people to promote thriving towns and villages, developing dynamic partnerships between communities, government and business to deliver regeneration and local improvement

• Open Spaces Society: not-for-profit organisation set up to help those committed to the planning, design, management and use of public parks and open spaces

• Cultural Heritage Search Engine: preservation and conservation database

• The Victorian Society: national society responsible for the study and protection of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and other arts

• The Twentieth Century Society: exists to safeguard the heritage of architecture and design in Britain from 1914 onwards

• The Penrhos Trust: rescue historic farm buildings that are in danger of becoming lost and revive them with ecological and organic food businesses

• Maintain our Heritage: promotes a new, long-term, sustainable strategy for the care of historic buildings with pre-eminence given to maintenance rather than sporadic major repair

• The Theatres Trust: national body whose purpose is to promote the better protection of theatres. As well as considering planning applications relating to theatre buildings, we provide help and advice on planning and design matters, campaign on behalf of theatres, and work to foster a general interest in theatre architecture

• War Memorials Trust: works for the protection and conservation of war memorials in the UK

• Leicestershire War Memorials: a comprehensive database of all types of war memorial in the county