Heritage makes people happy!

English Heritage’s annual survey Heritage Counts, published this month, reveals that England’s historic environment has a valuable and positive impact on people and places.

The report highlights that the majority of people who visit heritage sites believe they are important to local communities, and that the historic environment is valued for the ways it contributes to individual’s knowledge and sense of identity, and because it helps to make places feel ‘special’.

It also shows that taking part in heritage can make a difference to people’s own learning and development, and that there is emerging evidence of strong and positive links between heritage participation, wellbeing and health.

In addition, the report shows that England’s heritage not only encourages overseas visits, but is also important for making a place attractive to those people who are looking for places to work, study or establish business.

As the conservation work on Lincoln Castle starts to complete in the coming months, and plans continue to develop for Lincoln Cathedral Connected, the city looks forward to an improved historic environment to be enjoyed by local people and visitors.

[sourced from ‘Heritage Counts’ published by English Heritage, November 2014]