News

Historic Environment Records and Battlefields

23 March 2026

Today Historic England have launched two new videos highlighting the importance of Historic Environment Records which can be seen at What are Historic Environment Records? | Videos & Movies on Vimeo and Why Historic Environment Records Matter  | Videos & Movies on Vimeo.

Historic Environment Records bring together information about the archaeology, buildings and landscapes that shape the places around us. They help build a clearer picture of how places have developed and changed over time. There are over 80 Historic Environment Record (HER) offices across England. Together, they provide national coverage - helping people access trusted local knowledge and supporting the understanding, management and conservation of historic places including battlefields.

Battlefields Trust Research Coordinator Simon Marsh said ‘because Historic Environment Records (HERs) are used to inform planning decisions, they are a vital tool in helping to protect unregistered battlefields which are not of national importance, but may have local importance’.

He added ‘The Battlefields Trust has reviewed and contributed to Historic Environment Records in order to better protect sites of conflict, for example at Southam (1642) in Warwickshire and, indirectly, through a battlefield registration application at Gainsborough (1643) in Lincolnshire’.

If an unregistered battlefield is missing from the Historic Environment Record it can be notified to the Battlefields Trust at research@battlefieldstrust.com. The Trust will seek to add information about the battle to the local Historic Environment Record.