New Report Reveals Local Historic Places Are Vital for Mental Health
Familiar historic places provide emotional stability – helping people to function and thrive in everyday life
Evidence shows historic places possess restorative qualities comparable to natural green spaces, such as parks
New poll backs report findings: 7 in 10 respondents said local historic buildings are important to their quality of life, and almost two thirds said that being in or around historic buildings positively affects their wellbeing
Emotional connections to everyday historic places drive economic decisions – where people choose to live, work and spend
Historic places are vital for mental health, providing the permanence people need to feel secure in their surroundings and the stability to function and thrive in everyday life, according to a new report published today by Historic England and the University of Glasgow.
These benefits arise from the profound emotional connections people form with familiar historic places – from piers and pubs to cinemas and churches – which also provide belonging and help us make sense of who we are.
The loss of cherished buildings and landmarks can cause grief and emotional distress, as seen by the reaction to the sudden demolition of the Crooked House pub in Staffordshire and the illegal felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian’s Wall.
Evidence in ‘Connecting People and Place: Valuing the Felt Experiences of Historic Places’ also shows that historic places possess restorative qualities comparable to natural green spaces, promoting wellbeing.
The report builds on Historic England research published in 2024 which found that the presence of nearby everyday historic places – rather than rare, exceptional sites – increases residents’ life satisfaction.
Public Attitudinal Poll Findings
Research in the report is backed by the results of a new public attitudinal poll commissioned by Historic England and carried out by Savanta, which found that:
Seven in 10 respondents (71%) said local historic buildings are important to their quality of life
Almost two thirds of respondents (63%) said that being in or around historic buildings positively affects their wellbeing, comparable to the positive effect of local parks and green spaces (80%)
Young adults aged 25-34 reported the strongest positive impact – 70% said historic buildings positively affect their wellbeing
The poll also reveals the effect of deterioration and neglect:
When shown an image of a historic building in disrepair, the majority of respondents (56%) reported feeling sad, rising to 66% amongst those aged 55 and over.
One in five respondents (20%) reported feeling ashamed when viewing an image of a neglected historic building – highlighting the emotional cost of disrepair.
The Ripple Effect – Connections to Historic Places Drive Economic Decisions
‘Connecting People and Place: Valuing the Felt Experiences of Historic Places’ says the connections people have with historic places and the positive emotions they generate drive economic decisions – where people choose to live, work, spend and invest.
These decisions have the potential to benefit communities and drive local economic growth through tourism and investment.
In 2023, heritage-driven domestic tourism attracted more than 225.9 million visits and generated a total of £16 billion in visitor spend from day visits and overnight stays in England (CEBR, 2024).
Historic places also attract creative industries, which contributed £124 billion to the UK economy in 2023 (DCMS, 2025). These creative businesses choose locations based on architectural character and aesthetic qualities.
Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, Co-CEOs of Historic England said:
“The deep connections people form with historic buildings and places help to explain why they really matter. It also sheds light on why proposed change and development in our cities, towns and villages, which are brimming with heritage, brings about such strong public feeling.
“The affinity people have to historic landmarks, from the cinema where you had your first date to the seaside pier you visited as a child, play an important role in determining where people choose to live, visit, spend and invest. This is good news for communities and local economies.”
Professor Rebecca Madgin at the University of Glasgow, said:
“This report comes at a critical juncture as we search for ways to grow the economy whilst at the same time needing to nurture wellbeing.”
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith said:
“History matters to us – it’s not only an academic discipline, it’s part of our emotional life. AHRC is proud to fund new research into how history and place are intertwined.
“This report sets out a novel of way of thinking about our investment, our partnership with Historic England who are custodians of our past, and how this can lead to local and regional growth and cohesion. This report deserves to be widely read, and to shape the future of emotionally intelligent engagement with our heritage, wherever we meet it.”
Wellbeing and Heritage Strategy
Historic England has published its new Wellbeing and Heritage Strategy (2025-2030), which sets out how it wants to work in partnership with local authorities, the health and social care sector and local people to use heritage to build happier and healthier communities across the country.
Culture and Heritage Capital
The ‘Connecting People and Place: Valuing the Felt Experiences of Historic Places’ report contributes to the Culture and Heritage Capital (CHC) programme, led by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), which is working to broaden economic analysis across the creative, culture and heritage sectors.
Measuring the economic contribution of these sectors is standard practice, but the programme also wants to assess their impact on welfare, sustainable growth and long-term living standards. By highlighting the wider benefits these sectors bring to individuals and society, decision-making can be better informed.
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