Our policy priorities
Campaigning for the things that matter most if we're to keep independent heritage safe for the benefit of future generations
Historic houses are hubs for culture in the countryside and vibrant small businesses, providing important employment opportunities and leisure experiences in rural communities in all corners of our four nations.
They are at the heart of the UK’s world-leading tourism industry – attracting millions of visitors, generating thousands of jobs, supporting communities across the country and driving the rural economy.
Based in Westminster, our small UK policy team works closely with government, stakeholders and politicians across the political spectrum to shape and influence policy for the benefit of heritage and tourism. Historic Houses Scotland works in close partnership with Scottish Land & Estates and other stakeholders on Scottish policy work, and in Wales our part-time Policy Adviser engages with Welsh government, politicians and stakeholders on behalf of Historic Houses in Wales.
We are passionate about the extraordinary historic houses we represent, and are committed to advocating for a fiscal and regulatory framework in which they are able to thrive for the benefit of the nation.
We ensure our houses are robustly represented in policymaking in areas such as taxation, de-regulation, planning and tourism through:
- Direct discussion with ministers and civil servants
- Regular meetings with cross-party MPs and their equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Producing robust evidence and case studies to aid policy-making
- Responding to a wide-range of consultations and calls for evidence
- Generating and supporting new research partnerships
- Working closely with colleagues across the heritage and tourism sectors, and contributing to a broad range of collaborative projects.
Contact
If you’re a house member wanting specific advice and guidance, log in to access our online bank of policy statements and submissions.
Our priorities for 2025
We make the case to the government for supportive measures to enable independent heritage to survive and thrive, but to do this, it is vital that we can demonstrate the many benefits historic house businesses bring to their local communities and economies when they are allowed to flourish.
In 2025, we’re focusing on making the case for heritage to the new government and explaining the benefits that independent heritage brings to the UK. In terms of policy, we’re strongly opposing the changes to Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) announced at the Autumn Budget and are working together with other sector organisations, such as Family Business UK, to push for changes to the Government’s proposals. We’re also continuing to push for planning reforms to make it easier for owners of listed buildings to adopt decarbonisation measures, like secondary glazing and heat pumps. Our new VAT report has been published and sets out how a VAT relief scheme for heritage businesses open to the public, would stimulate investment, benefitting heritage and the UK economy. You can read more here.
The facts and figures from our members
Understanding the impact of independent historic houses
Quantifying our members' economic, social and cultural impact in their local communities and across the UK
Download our latest key stats infographic to see what our member places contribute.
Making the case for planning reform
so heritage can help the UK meet its net zero obligations
Download our latest planning infographic to see the key findings from the Historic Houses member surveys.
New problems need new solutions
Ben Cowell, OBE, Director General of Historic Houses, explains why our approach to heritage protection needs to change.
Information for House Members
