Ben Cowell, Historic Houses
@bencowell.bsky.social
Director general, Historic Houses. Author, The British Country House Revival (2024).
Reposted by Ben Cowell, Historic Houses
Today @histenvforum.bsky.social publishes the Historic Environment Overview 2024-25, celebrating the impact of England’s heritage sector in the last financial year. Produced with support from Historic England. Read the new report: historicengland.org.uk/research/her...
#Heritage #Resilience
#Heritage #Resilience
July 21, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Today @histenvforum.bsky.social publishes the Historic Environment Overview 2024-25, celebrating the impact of England’s heritage sector in the last financial year. Produced with support from Historic England. Read the new report: historicengland.org.uk/research/her...
#Heritage #Resilience
#Heritage #Resilience
Scenes from the amazing Copped Hall, near Epping in Essex. It suffered a catastrophic fire in 1917, but for the last 30 years volunteers have been bringing it back to life. It now has a new roof, new floors, and hosts countless community and cultural events. A true inspiration of what can be done.
June 28, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Scenes from the amazing Copped Hall, near Epping in Essex. It suffered a catastrophic fire in 1917, but for the last 30 years volunteers have been bringing it back to life. It now has a new roof, new floors, and hosts countless community and cultural events. A true inspiration of what can be done.
A landmark report on #heritage was published #OTD 75 years ago - 23 June 1950.
Sir Ernest Gowers investigated how significant houses should be protected for future generations. 75 years on, his (plain) words still ring true.
Read more about it here: www.historichouses.org/unfinished-b...
Sir Ernest Gowers investigated how significant houses should be protected for future generations. 75 years on, his (plain) words still ring true.
Read more about it here: www.historichouses.org/unfinished-b...
Unfinished Business: The Gowers Report at 75 - Historic Houses
www.historichouses.org
June 23, 2025 at 11:26 AM
A landmark report on #heritage was published #OTD 75 years ago - 23 June 1950.
Sir Ernest Gowers investigated how significant houses should be protected for future generations. 75 years on, his (plain) words still ring true.
Read more about it here: www.historichouses.org/unfinished-b...
Sir Ernest Gowers investigated how significant houses should be protected for future generations. 75 years on, his (plain) words still ring true.
Read more about it here: www.historichouses.org/unfinished-b...
A blog from me about... Digging Clavering Castle benspalimpsest.blogspot.com/2025/06/digg... @castlestudies.bsky.social
Digging Clavering Castle
For the last three weeks, a team of archaeologists has been at work in the village of Clavering in Essex, uncovering new facts about the med...
benspalimpsest.blogspot.com
June 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
A blog from me about... Digging Clavering Castle benspalimpsest.blogspot.com/2025/06/digg... @castlestudies.bsky.social
Thoughts from @historic-houses.bsky.social on why "Imposing planning fees on listed buildings would be a huge mistake" - including a call for use of the listed building consent order mechanism for certain routine, reversible changes.
www.thetimes.com/article/f8f2...
www.thetimes.com/article/f8f2...
Imposing planning fees on listed buildings would be a huge mistake
The planning application is free at present — scrapping this perk would discourage the preservation of some beautiful properties
www.thetimes.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Thoughts from @historic-houses.bsky.social on why "Imposing planning fees on listed buildings would be a huge mistake" - including a call for use of the listed building consent order mechanism for certain routine, reversible changes.
www.thetimes.com/article/f8f2...
www.thetimes.com/article/f8f2...
Reposted by Ben Cowell, Historic Houses
Today @histenvforum.bsky.social launches the new Heritage Sector Resilience Plan 2025-35 (HSRP2) providing a clear roadmap for partnership working to deliver a robust & resilient heritage sector. Read the plan on HEF’s website: historicenvironmentforum.org.uk/hef-activiti...
#HeritageResiliencePlan
#HeritageResiliencePlan
June 19, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Today @histenvforum.bsky.social launches the new Heritage Sector Resilience Plan 2025-35 (HSRP2) providing a clear roadmap for partnership working to deliver a robust & resilient heritage sector. Read the plan on HEF’s website: historicenvironmentforum.org.uk/hef-activiti...
#HeritageResiliencePlan
#HeritageResiliencePlan
The enormous cost of repairs and maintenance borne by independent owners, rocketing insurance premiums, and delays in the planning system: just some of the topics I raised today at the DCMS select committee.
Catch the session here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Catch the session here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
June 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The enormous cost of repairs and maintenance borne by independent owners, rocketing insurance premiums, and delays in the planning system: just some of the topics I raised today at the DCMS select committee.
Catch the session here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Catch the session here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Brilliant episode by John and Clive, showcasing Castle Howard’s recent transformation but also discussing how this could only be done by private owners. Comparisons are thereby drawn with Clandon etc. It makes for a fascinating discussion, well worth a listen.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
Castle Howard: Vanbrugh's Palace Redisplayed
Podcast Episode · Your Places or Mine · 05/06/2025 · 51m
podcasts.apple.com
June 8, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Brilliant episode by John and Clive, showcasing Castle Howard’s recent transformation but also discussing how this could only be done by private owners. Comparisons are thereby drawn with Clandon etc. It makes for a fascinating discussion, well worth a listen.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
A joy to see Dan Cruickshank (metaphorically) don his kipper tie and corduroy flares to take us back to the heady days of 1975.
Dan's own contribution to the Year of Architectural Heritage was to occupy threatened Georgian buildings in Spitalfields, as part of the burgeoning heritage movement.
Dan's own contribution to the Year of Architectural Heritage was to occupy threatened Georgian buildings in Spitalfields, as part of the burgeoning heritage movement.
June 6, 2025 at 11:36 AM
A joy to see Dan Cruickshank (metaphorically) don his kipper tie and corduroy flares to take us back to the heady days of 1975.
Dan's own contribution to the Year of Architectural Heritage was to occupy threatened Georgian buildings in Spitalfields, as part of the burgeoning heritage movement.
Dan's own contribution to the Year of Architectural Heritage was to occupy threatened Georgian buildings in Spitalfields, as part of the burgeoning heritage movement.
Thanks to @museumsassociation.org for featuring our new @historic-houses.bsky.social report on Gen Z's relationship with heritage. It's a great read - well worth a look.
www.museumsassociation.org/museums-jour...
www.museumsassociation.org/museums-jour...
Gen Z put off visiting historic houses by transport challenges and cost - Museums Association
But young people value heritage sites as places to unplug from technology, according to report
www.museumsassociation.org
June 6, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Thanks to @museumsassociation.org for featuring our new @historic-houses.bsky.social report on Gen Z's relationship with heritage. It's a great read - well worth a look.
www.museumsassociation.org/museums-jour...
www.museumsassociation.org/museums-jour...
Reposted by Ben Cowell, Historic Houses
I love this bit. Extra tech doesn't always mean better
June 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I love this bit. Extra tech doesn't always mean better
Thanks Lizzie - a fun thread of a fun day!
A wrap up of today’s excellent conference celebrating 50 years from 1975 European Year of Architectural Heritage with @historictownsvf.bsky.social @bencowell.bsky.social SAVE @archhfund.org.uk Europa Nostra Uk @heritagealliance.bsky.social & Kings Foundation threadreaderapp.com/thread/19305...
Thread by @heritage_lizzie on Thread Reader App
@heritage_lizzie: Good morning from an exciting day ahead celebrating architectural heritage from 1975 to 2025 & ahead to 2075. Hosted by @HTF_ @Historic_Houses @SAVEtoReuse with @ArchHFund Europa Nos...
threadreaderapp.com
June 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Thanks Lizzie - a fun thread of a fun day!
Reposted by Ben Cowell, Historic Houses
A wrap up of today’s excellent conference celebrating 50 years from 1975 European Year of Architectural Heritage with @historictownsvf.bsky.social @bencowell.bsky.social SAVE @archhfund.org.uk Europa Nostra Uk @heritagealliance.bsky.social & Kings Foundation threadreaderapp.com/thread/19305...
Thread by @heritage_lizzie on Thread Reader App
@heritage_lizzie: Good morning from an exciting day ahead celebrating architectural heritage from 1975 to 2025 & ahead to 2075. Hosted by @HTF_ @Historic_Houses @SAVEtoReuse with @ArchHFund Europa Nos...
threadreaderapp.com
June 5, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A wrap up of today’s excellent conference celebrating 50 years from 1975 European Year of Architectural Heritage with @historictownsvf.bsky.social @bencowell.bsky.social SAVE @archhfund.org.uk Europa Nostra Uk @heritagealliance.bsky.social & Kings Foundation threadreaderapp.com/thread/19305...
Superb new report from @historic-houses.bsky.social about how Gen Z connect with heritage - well worth a read.
www.historichouses.org/gen-z-sees-h...
www.historichouses.org/gen-z-sees-h...
Gen Z sees historic places as a refuge from a hyper-connected world - Historic Houses
www.historichouses.org
June 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Superb new report from @historic-houses.bsky.social about how Gen Z connect with heritage - well worth a read.
www.historichouses.org/gen-z-sees-h...
www.historichouses.org/gen-z-sees-h...
Not a bad day to see this place
May 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Not a bad day to see this place
A treat to hear the great Ken Worpole speak last night about his new book, Brightening from the East. Landscape, memory, and nonconformity on the Essex coast.
May 1, 2025 at 7:32 AM
A treat to hear the great Ken Worpole speak last night about his new book, Brightening from the East. Landscape, memory, and nonconformity on the Essex coast.
Preserving English eccentricity at Dalemain in Cumbria: celebrating 20 years of the World Marmalade Awards www.theguardian.com/food/2025/ap...
Preserving English eccentricity: 20 years of the World Marmalade Awards
The contest now draws in more than 3,200 entries from as far afield as the Czech Republic and South Korea
www.theguardian.com
April 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Preserving English eccentricity at Dalemain in Cumbria: celebrating 20 years of the World Marmalade Awards www.theguardian.com/food/2025/ap...
The Renaissance of Castle Howard - a true British country house revival
April 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The Renaissance of Castle Howard - a true British country house revival
Many congratulations to Baroness Twycross for taking over the heritage brief at @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social . We look forward to working with you in this important role.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross was appointed Baroness in Waiting (Government Whip) on 11 July 2024 and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 23 July 2024.
www.gov.uk
April 2, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Many congratulations to Baroness Twycross for taking over the heritage brief at @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social . We look forward to working with you in this important role.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
I just came across this while looking for something else (as you do) and my life is now complete.
March 25, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I just came across this while looking for something else (as you do) and my life is now complete.
Well worth reading Peter Mandler on the Fall and Rise of the Stately Home, 25 years on academic.oup.com/tcbh/article...
The country house and the neoliberal society
Abstract. The English (or British) country house has enjoyed an under-appreciated social and economic revival in the last 25 years as a result of changes i
academic.oup.com
March 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Well worth reading Peter Mandler on the Fall and Rise of the Stately Home, 25 years on academic.oup.com/tcbh/article...
It's #EnglishTourismWeek this week. Vote for the tourism Superstars who make such a difference to this fantastic industry!
The amazing Muncaster Castle is on the list, thanks to their very own Hannah Clapp. Vote Hannah! (by 23 March)
visitenglandawards.secure-platform.com/tourismsuper...
The amazing Muncaster Castle is on the list, thanks to their very own Hannah Clapp. Vote Hannah! (by 23 March)
visitenglandawards.secure-platform.com/tourismsuper...
VisitEngland - Hannah Clapp
visitenglandawards.secure-platform.com
March 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
It's #EnglishTourismWeek this week. Vote for the tourism Superstars who make such a difference to this fantastic industry!
The amazing Muncaster Castle is on the list, thanks to their very own Hannah Clapp. Vote Hannah! (by 23 March)
visitenglandawards.secure-platform.com/tourismsuper...
The amazing Muncaster Castle is on the list, thanks to their very own Hannah Clapp. Vote Hannah! (by 23 March)
visitenglandawards.secure-platform.com/tourismsuper...
Good to see @heritagealliance.bsky.social #HeritageCreates report, highlighting the power of heritage in driving innovation & creativity. Inspiring case studies including from Wentworth Woodhouse and Chawton House. www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/our-work/pub...
#HeritageCreates
#HeritageCreates
bit.ly
March 12, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Good to see @heritagealliance.bsky.social #HeritageCreates report, highlighting the power of heritage in driving innovation & creativity. Inspiring case studies including from Wentworth Woodhouse and Chawton House. www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/our-work/pub...
#HeritageCreates
#HeritageCreates
Reposted by Ben Cowell, Historic Houses
HEF members Historic Houses have launched a new report on VAT ahead of their submission to the CMS inquiry on Protecting Built Heritage. Read below ⬇️
www.historichouses.org/rebate-in-uk...
New Historic Houses report, on what a smarter approach to VAT could do for the repair of historic buildings open to public access.
New Historic Houses report, on what a smarter approach to VAT could do for the repair of historic buildings open to public access.
Rebate in UK's Heritage Sector Could Unlock £7M Benefit - Historic Houses
www.historichouses.org
January 30, 2025 at 10:15 AM
HEF members Historic Houses have launched a new report on VAT ahead of their submission to the CMS inquiry on Protecting Built Heritage. Read below ⬇️
Deadline today for applying to Attingham Trust's New Perspectives in Country House Studies course www.attinghamtrust.org/courses/new-...
New Perspectives in Country House Studies | The Attingham Trust
www.attinghamtrust.org
February 14, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Deadline today for applying to Attingham Trust's New Perspectives in Country House Studies course www.attinghamtrust.org/courses/new-...