Heritage sites and museums offer more than history – they provide spaces for inspiration, social connection and personal growth. Exploring alone or in a group, visiting historic places stimulates curiosity, gives us an opportunity to be physically active, to go out and try something new and exciting, enhances knowledge and encourages positive emotions and inspiration.
Find out more
Case Studies
Places of Joy: the Role of Heritage During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Historic England is working with researchers at University of Southampton, University of Cambridge and University of Surrey to examine the ways that people are using heritage sites to support their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evidence
Academic papers
-
Sofaer, J., Davenport, B., Sørensen, M. L. S., Gallou, E., & Uzzell, D. (2021). Heritage sites, value and wellbeing: learning from the COVID-19 pandemic in England. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 27(11), 1117–1132
-
Gallou, E., Uzzell, D., Sofaer, J. (20220 Perceived place qualities, restorative effects and self-reported wellbeing benefits of visits to heritage sites: Empirical evidence from a visitor survey in England, Wellbeing, Space and Society, Volume 3
-
Macdonald L, Nicholls N, Gallou E, et al. (2023). Is spatial exposure to heritage associated with visits to heritage and to mental health? A cross-sectional study using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) , BMJ Open
-
Sayer, Faye (2024). 'Measuring Wellbeing in Heritage', Heritage and Wellbeing: The Impact of Heritage Places on Visitors’ Wellbeing , Oxford
Other evidence
-
Heritage and the Wellbeing Economy (2023) Heritage Counts, Historic England
-
Improving Mental Health Through Heritage (2023) Heritage Counts, Historic England
-
Having heritage sites in your neighbourhood and visiting heritage improves mental health (2023), University of Glasgow
-
Are historic buildings, parks and gardens good for society? (2023), Understanding Society, The UK Household Longitudinal Study
Resources
-
Historic Houses and Wellbeing - presentation at Wellbeing and Heritage Conference March 2024
-
Heritage on the Doorstep as Wellbeing Resource The Heritage and Wellbeing for NHS Staff Project - presentation at Wellbeing and Heritage Conference, March 2024
-
Why visiting a museum is good for everyone: cultural heritage, health and wellbeing - Professor Helen Chatterjee’s led webinar 2023
