We carry out and fund high-quality applied research to support the protection and management of the historic environment. Here you can find out about our current programme of research at Historic England and the principles and methods that underpin it.
Our programme is wide-ranging and both national and local in scope, with projects that highlight new discoveries and provide greater understanding and enjoyment of our historic places. The results of our research are also described here.
Our historic environment research reports includes work we have carried out and work that we have funded. There are over 7,000 reports available as free downloads going back over 50 years.
Our Research Report series includes research carried out by Historic England and on our behalf by other organisations.
Learn about the scope of the Research Reports database
Research Results
Find out how to access the results of our research, including from past projects.
Current Research Programme
Find out about Historic England's current comprehensive research programme.
Research Methods
Historic England uses a wide range of techniques to investigate and interpret remains of the past and carry out research into England's heritage
Support & Collaboration
Find out about the support and funding that we provide to those carrying out research into the historic environment.
Research Strategy and Agenda
The Research Strategy and Agenda for Historic England sets out what research we do or fund and is a tool for collaboration with academic researchers
Research Governance
Historic England's approach to research governance including research integrity and conduct.
This issue focuses on projects that help to manage change to the historic environment at the broad landscape level.
John Cattel, our National Head of Research introduces Issue 25 of Historic England Research Magazine, focusing on managing landscape level change.
Historic England Landscape Strategy Adviser Jonathan Last gives an overview of the theme of this issue: managing change at landscape level.
Developing the methodology for assessing sensitivity of the historic environment at the earliest stages of major landscape change.
The challenges of managing change in complex townscapes and time-depth.
Developing a methodology for understanding where future significant archaeological discoveries may be made.
Harnessing the potential of existing knowledge to develop predictive models of Roman settlement.
Evidence of landscapes and lifeways from the distant past brought to light during replenishment of Essex beaches.
Discussion of how historic landscape be more fully involved at the earliest stages of planning for large-scale landscape change.
Developing new datasets to ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place.
Exploring the evolving role of archaeology in large-scale nature recovery projects.
A roundup of recent research reports added to our database in June 2023 to August 2023, displayed by heritage themes.
The Future for Archaeological Archives Programme has been set up to find a sustainable future for archaeological collections recovered from excavations in England. The value in these archives lies mostly in potential further research. There is an obligation to future generations not to lose them.
The Future for Archaeological Archives Programme aims at a sustainable approach to the creation and curation of archaeological archives.
Archaeological archives consist of the records and finds made during an archaeological project
Explore how important aspects of our past, such as the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition, attitudes towards disability, and the changing role of women, are reflected in the buildings of our towns and cities.
The Slave Trade and Abolition
Historic England has researched the connections between the transatlantic slave trade and the properties in the care of English Heritage.
Disability History
Disability in Time and Place reveals how disabled people's lives are integral to the heritage all around us.
Women's History
Women's achievements and experience have left a deep impression on the historic environment.
Trends, insights and data about the heritage sector.
Heritage Counts is research published by Historic England on behalf of the Historic Environment Forum, providing evidence for the value of heritage to our economy, society and environment.
Heritage Counts is the annual audit of England's heritage. It outlines changes in the sector and reports on indicators for the historic environment.
Each year, Heritage Counts collates datasets about a range of indicators that provide useful insights into the state of the historic environment.
Latest reports highlighting how the public connects with heritage and the value of heritage to society.
Findings from our studies of heritage and economic activity, and new research: the Heritage Economic Estimate Indicators.
Research Reports Map
Explore our research reports including selection of research reports for place-based projects published after 2006.
Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer
Explore archaeology identified and mapped by aerial archaeology using our map
Dive Trails
Dive into history at a Historic England protected wreck site.
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