Research Evidence for the Social Impact of Heritage

Heritage drives domestic and international tourism

Heritage plays a powerful role in our lives. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Participation Survey shows that 63% of adults in England visited a heritage site in 2021/22.

Interest in historic sites has grown significantly. Visits rose 56% from 1989 to 2019, reaching 75.8 million in 2018/19 (Visitor Attraction Trends in England, 2023).

Heritage also drives tourism. A Visit Britain survey found that 78% of 22,840 international travellers considered "exploring history and heritage" a key factor in choosing a destination – ranking Britain highest in this category.

Domestic tourism is thriving too. Over 15 million heritage-related overnight trips took place in 2021 – up from 1 million in 2019 – despite COVID-19 restrictions (CEBR, 2021).

Heritage isn’t just our past – it’s a key part of our present and future.

Heritage inspires people to take action

People care about heritage and take action to protect it. 38% of adults in England have signed petitions, joined heritage groups, donated, or attended public meetings to safeguard historic places (Historic England, 2015).

Heritage also inspires volunteering. In 2022, over half a million people (5.5% of all volunteers) gave their time to the heritage sector, benefiting from improved mental health, life satisfaction, and social connections (DCMS Community Lives Survey).

Volunteering programs have been shown to have real impact. 75% of participants in the Inspiring Futures program reported improved wellbeing after a year, and 60% experienced lasting benefits over 2 to 3 years (Envoy Partnership, 2017).

Living near heritage fosters civic engagement too. People in conservation areas are twice as likely to participate in local planning decisions (Historic England, 2017).

By inspiring individuals to act, heritage strengthens communities and enhances wellbeing.

Heritage shapes personal identity and sense of belonging

Engaging with local history helps people connect with their identity, as we often define ourselves in relation to the past. As Rose (1995) suggests, feeling at home in a place stems from a sense of belonging, where personal identity aligns with certain qualities of that place or its story.

Research shows that engaging with heritage fosters deeper connections with places we visit and contributes to our sense of identity and self-esteem. An evaluation of the Heritage at Risk (HAR) project found that volunteering in heritage activities helped participants express themselves, feel a sense of belonging, and do something they valued.

Heritage also reinforces identity at both personal and community levels. A 2019 study by Timoney explored 3 heritage sites in Scotland, including Tarbat, an important site in the spread of Christianity. Visitors reported that the site reaffirmed their faith and strengthened their sense of belonging. For some, the site’s location was key in shaping their regional identity, deepening their connection to their cultural roots.

Similarly, a 2023 study by Xie and colleagues interviewed members of the Malaysian Chinese diaspora who participated in a traditional Chinese drumming art form. The experience helped strengthen their national identity by connecting them to their cultural heritage and reinforcing their sense of belonging.

By engaging with heritage, individuals and communities build stronger ties to their past, deepening their understanding of who they are and where they come from.

The impact of heritage on place attachment

People form rich and meaningful connections to places – a concept known as ‘place attachment’. Research indicates that this attachment fosters a sense of belonging (Preece, 2020), promotes resilience during challenging times (Dallago and colleagues, 2009), and strengthens communities through shared experiences.

Professor Rebecca Madgin’s 2021 report explored how and why people develop attachments to historic urban places. Her 4-year study used oral histories, collected emotional responses to historic areas, and analysed documents from towns and cities across Scotland and England. The findings suggest that buildings have ‘personalities’ shaped by their appearance, materials, history, use and the memories associated with them. These elements influence how people feel about a place on an emotional level.

Other studies reinforce this idea. In 2008, Maria Lewicka surveyed 500 residents in Eastern Europe and found that those living in historic districts felt a stronger sense of attachment to their neighbourhoods. Similarly, a 2009 study by the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURDS) linked a higher concentration of historic buildings to a stronger sense of place.

In Edinburgh, Wang (2021) conducted surveys and interviews on place attachment. Follow-up interviews in 2023 revealed that heritage fosters connection in different ways – some people feel attached due to personal memories or their knowledge of the local history, while others are drawn to the architecture and design.

These studies highlight the powerful role heritage plays in shaping our emotional ties to places.

How heritage shapes our experience of place

People’s satisfaction with a place depends on how well it meets their needs – practically, aesthetically, and emotionally. Research shows that heritage plays a key role in shaping these perceptions.

The colours, scale, upkeep, and architecture of our built environment affect how we experience a place. Studies suggest that attractive, well-maintained settings contribute more than identity, beauty, and a sense of quality – they boost happiness and overall life satisfaction.

In Restorative Cities (2021), Roe and McCay highlight how historic places embody strong urban design principles. They offer visual interest, landmarks for wayfinding, distinctiveness, and architectural beauty – elements that support wellbeing and a sense of place.

Investing in heritage also improves public opinion of an area. A study on the Townscape Heritage Initiative compared changes made in 16 locations. The research demonstrated that where townscape quality was improved, perceptions of upkeep and appearance also became more positive (Reeve and Shipley, 2014).

Heritage influences not just personal satisfaction but also community cohesion. A 2019 study by Ozkan and colleagues surveyed 137 residents in Turkey, revealing a strong link between neighbourhood satisfaction and community cohesion.

In short, heritage shapes both individual wellbeing and community bonds. Preserving and enhancing historic environments can strengthen our sense of belonging and improve overall quality of life.

The role of heritage in fostering pride in place

‘Pride in place’ refers to the sense of connection and pride people feel for the places they associate themselves with. Research shows that heritage plays a key role in developing this pride.

For example, an evaluation of Historic England’s Heritage Schools programme found that most teachers believed learning about local history increased students' pride in their area. Similarly, a 2021 Public First poll found that historic buildings were the third most important source of local pride (20% of respondents), after green spaces (36%) and local people (35%). A YouGov survey for UK in a Changing Europe (2022) placed historic buildings and monuments above pubs and football clubs as sources of community pride.

On a national level, the DCMS Taking Part survey found that history was the third most common factor making people proud of Britain (35% of respondents), following the countryside (53%) and the health system (52%). 15% highlighted architecture and historic buildings as a source of national pride.

A Historic England survey of attitudes toward the high street (2021) revealed pride in local heritage when 42% of 4,000 respondents said historic buildings and monuments made them feel proud of their local area.

But it’s not just the buildings that matter, what happens in them also plays a role. A 2019 review by the What Works Centre for Wellbeing and Happy City found that community activities held in heritage sites and buildings strengthen belonging and pride.

These findings highlight how the heritage that has shaped our surroundings also deepens our emotional connection to place and pride in it.

How heritage affects perception of safety

The condition of the built environment significantly affects people’s sense of safety (Hinkle and Yang, 2013). Maintaining historic buildings plays a key role in shaping these perceptions. Run-down structures on high streets and in town centres can contribute to unease and a perception of social disorder (Mouratidis and Hassan, 2020), whereas well-kept public spaces create a sense of security and belonging (Cattell and colleagues, 2007).

A survey of 679 people in 5 areas that received heritage regeneration funding (English Heritage, 2010) found that perceptions of safety improved after the projects were completed. The proportion of respondents who felt safe increased from 81% to 91% during the day and from 85% to 94% after dark.

The layout and design of historic areas also encourage physical activity and social interaction, further enhancing safety. Walkable streets bring people into public spaces, creating a more vibrant and engaged community (Arup, 2016).

A 2016 study by Venerandi and colleagues found that well-designed places with green spaces, historic buildings, and a dense, grid-like street layout encourage people to walk and spend time outdoors, improving perceptions of safety.

By preserving and investing in heritage spaces, communities can create environments that feel safer, more welcoming, and more connected.

Combating loneliness and social isolation

Loneliness can harm both mental and physical health. According to the Community Life Survey, 6% of adults in the UK experience chronic loneliness, while 48% feel lonely occasionally or some of the time. This feeling of being alone, even when surrounded by others, is linked to anxiety, depression, and poor health outcomes.

Social isolation is different from loneliness, but equally harmful. This lack of contact with others is especially likely to occur for older adults and those with health challenges.

Heritage engagement offers solutions for both loneliness and social isolation:

• Volunteering in heritage projects can foster intergenerational friendships, build social networks, and provide a sense of purpose (Charity Job, 2023). With loneliness among over-50s projected to reach 2 million by 2025/6, volunteering can be especially beneficial for older adults.
• Cultural tourism encourages connections across diverse backgrounds, strengthening trust and openness (Wood and colleagues, 2022) which are key to deep relationships.
• Feeling connected to local community boosts mental health, particularly for older adults and migrants. Age UK (2018) found that people over 50 were 3 times more likely to feel lonely if they didn’t feel they belonged to their neighbourhood.
• Creating shared spaces for connection: UCL’s Museums on Prescription found that cultural participation reduces isolation by bringing people together in engaging environments.
• Supporting the heritage sector: older volunteers play a crucial role, with 64% of heritage volunteers aged 50+ and 40% over 65 (Community Life Survey, 2023).

Heritage is a powerful tool for building connections, reducing loneliness, and creating a stronger, more inclusive society.

Fostering a sense of belonging

Belonging is a fundamental human need to feel connected, accepted, and valued within a community or place (Allen and colleagues, 2021). By preserving traditions, stories and landmarks, heritage offers a connection to shared history that promotes feelings of belonging and pride (Ji, X., Du, Y. and Li, Q., 2023).

A 2022 review by Mughal and colleagues found that participating in heritage-related activities can reduce loneliness and social isolation. Historic buildings and landmarks, rich with cultural and architectural significance, provide familiar spaces that enrich community identity and evoke a sense of belonging.

In an increasingly globalized world, heritage can also help newcomers feel more at home. The Migration Observatory reports that 14.8% of the UK population was born elsewhere, with net migration reaching 685,000 in 2023. Studies show that engaging with local history helps new residents develop a sense of place and belonging, which is essential for wellbeing (Mariou, 2020).

By protecting and engaging with heritage, communities create environments where both long-time residents and newcomers can feel a sense of belonging.

Heritage contributes to community identity

Social identity theory (Hogg, 2016) suggests that as we connect with social groups, they become part of how we define ourselves. That connection need not even be personal. One of the strongest forms of shared identity is national identity - a sense of belonging arising from merely sharing a geographical context.

Local and community heritage can strengthen this sense of belonging by offering a shared history that unites people. Research shows that communities with strong identities tend to have higher life satisfaction (Wakefield and colleagues, 2016), better mental and physical health (Fong, P. and colleagues, 2018), and act cohesively in times of crisis (Ntontis and colleagues, 2018). This is especially important for communities with marginalized or minority groups, where a shared heritage can reinforce inclusion and belonging.

Heritage sites and buildings often hold deep symbolic meaning. Their significance may stem from their original purpose, architecture, or historical events. For example, Devine-Wright and Lyons (1997) found that the Dublin General Post Office is seen by many Irish people as a symbol of democracy and patriotism.

A 2019 study by Timoney explored visitor experiences at Scottish heritage sites like Tarbat Discovery Centre and Rough Castle. Visitors reported that these places reinforced their understanding of the Highlands and Scotland, shaping a shared cultural narrative that strengthened their national identity.

By preserving and engaging with heritage, communities can build a stronger collective identity, fostering pride, connection, and resilience.

Developing social networks

Heritage brings people together, whether through volunteering, activities, or simply providing spaces for people to gather.

Research highlights this impact: Mak and colleagues (2023) found that people living in areas rich in historic buildings report stronger personal relationships and greater social network support. Similarly, the Renaissance in the Regions visitor survey (2001, cited by The Heritage Fund, 2016) found that two-thirds of gallery and museum visitors view these spaces as ideal meeting places.

Cultural programmes at heritage sites encourage connections between people from different backgrounds, fostering intergenerational bonds and more diverse social networks (Gallou, 2022). Chatterjee and colleagues (2015) found that museum sessions for mental health and addiction service users boosted confidence, sociability, and wellbeing, with participants valuing the friendships they formed most of all.

Heritage spaces don't just preserve the past – they help communities build stronger, more inclusive futures.

Building cohesive communities

A cohesive community is strong, safe, and resilient, fostering trust, mutual respect, and belonging. The Local Government Association guidance published in 2019 highlights how cultural activities can bring together people from different backgrounds, supporting community cohesion.

A study (Rees, 2022) found that the historic environment can play a crucial role in fostering cohesive communities. It provides opportunities for building a shared history based on a community’s knowledge of the past. Heritage also contributes to community cohesion by providing places, such as landmarks or monuments, where people can gather.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, heritage sites played a vital role in reconnection. Sofaer and colleagues (2021) surveyed over 750 heritage visitors and found that 27% chose these sites specifically for reunions, offering a meaningful setting and a sense of belonging after isolation.

Mak and colleagues (2023) explored the relationship between heritage and community networks. Using three datasets, they found that people living in areas with more historic buildings enjoyed stronger personal relationships, greater social network support, and increased civic engagement – regardless of how often they visited the sites. 

Heritage strengthens the social fabric, fostering more connected and inclusive communities.

Engaging with heritage supports personal development

Feeling a sense of accomplishment from meaningful activities is vital for our wellbeing and lifelong personal development. Research highlights that engaging with heritage can play a key role in this process.

Gallou (2022) found that participating in heritage activities, such as archaeological digs, improves teamwork skills, confidence, and resilience. Volunteering in the heritage sector also boosts self-esteem and builds confidence.

Visiting historic sites can foster empathy and grow cultural awareness. Savenije and de Bruijn (2017) observed secondary school students at Museon in The Hague during a session on children’s experiences in the Second World War. Many students felt empathy for the children they learned about, connecting through shared human experiences.

Heritage sites can also help us to develop critical thinking skills. Bull and De Angeli (2020) studied visitors to a First World War exhibition in Slovenia. They found that exposure to different perspectives and challenging topics encouraged discussion, reflection, and critical thinking.

The beauty of built heritage often inspires creativity. Cerisola (2019) showed that cultural heritage sparks curiosity, imagination, and both artistic and scientific creativity.

Engaging with heritage can promote personal development throughout our lives, bringing new found confidence, empathy, critical thinking, and creativity.

Heritage builds knowledge and can enhance the experience of learning 

Engaging with heritage helps people learn about the past, from past local events to historical objects that tell the story of different eras.

In 2014, Carenza Lewis evaluated the Cambridge Community Heritage Programme. The evaluation found that participants not only went on to gain further knowledge about their local area but also became more involved in local heritage activities.

Historic England’s 2023-2024 Heritage Schools programme evaluation surveyed 1,327 teachers. 93% agreed that learning about local heritage raised pupils’ aspirations, 99% saw an improved sense of place, and 98% noted increased pride.

Heritage can also make learning other subjects more engaging. A UNESCO-EU pilot project (2021) demonstrated how living heritage enhances learning in subjects like mathematics, physics, and languages, making education more interesting and motivating.

Lewis and colleagues (2019-2020) led archaeology activities across 4 European countries, involving 350 rural residents. They found that 77% of participants gained knowledge of local history, 70% felt more engaged, and over half reported greater interest in future archaeology and history activities.

Heritage enhances knowledge, deepens engagement, and makes learning more accessible and inspiring.

Heritage supports development of skills

Participating in heritage activities helps people gain valuable skills and qualifications.

Lewis (2015) reviewed over 100 small archaeological excavations in rural eastern England, finding participants developed skills in photography, archival research, writing for publication, and local historical research.

In 2022, Lewis and colleagues evaluated community archaeology projects across four European countries. Among 350 surveyed rural residents, 68% improved verbal communication, 63% learned to meet set standards, 77% enhanced creative thinking, 60% developed reflective learning and resilience, and 70% strengthened teamwork skills.

The archaeological dig at Middlefield Lane, Gainsborough, engaged residents of a 1960s social housing estate in archaeological excavations. Over 80% of participants reported gaining transferable skills such as teamwork, verbal communication, persistence, and evidence interpretation. What’s more, 73% enjoyed learning something new or developing skills.

Heritage can also inspire children. Trenter and colleagues (2021) found that historic sites encourage creative and imaginative play, fostering emotional and cognitive development while helping children understand the past.

Heritage supports physical activity

Historic environments can encourage physical activity, bringing significant health benefits.

Analysing cities, towns and health data, Ewing and colleagues (2014) found evidence that residents of compact areas walk more than those in spread-out communities. Historic towns, designed before widespread vehicle use, tend to be compact and walkable. 

High-quality green spaces linked to heritage sites also promote physical activity. Public Health England (2020) highlighted that quality green spaces help tackle inactivity and obesity. Natural England's Green Infrastructure Framework (2023) recognises that heritage can enhance green spaces, creating distinctive and attractive environments. The DCMS Participation Survey (2022) found that visiting parks and gardens with historic features is the most popular form of physical engagement with heritage, selected by 40% of people surveyed.

Historic waterways also support physical health. The Canal and River Trust estimates that around 9 million people regularly visit historic canals, generating NHS cost savings of £1.1 billion annually. Researchers at Manchester University found that canal regeneration projects, such as footpath restoration, have the potential to increase visitor numbers and promote walking and vigorous physical activity.

Engaging with heritage supports good mental health

Good mental health helps people to cope with daily stresses and function productively.

Engaging with heritage activities positively supports mental health. Wheatley and Bickerton (2019) analysed data from Understanding Society and found that visiting historic sites and museums, even irregularly, improved life and health satisfaction.

Lewis (2023) interviewed 35 volunteers working on Heritage at Risk projects across England. Participants reported that heritage volunteering boosted their sense of identity, belonging, and attachment to place.

Research has found that visiting heritage sites reduces stress. Grossi and colleagues (2019) recorded a 40% increase in wellbeing and a 60% reduction in stress levels after visits to historic environments. Lauwers and colleagues (2021) found that historic architecture in urban spaces promoted feelings of fascination and relaxation, offering ‘a mental break from the city’.

Many researchers observe that heritage fosters feelings of connection to place and belonging, key components of mental wellbeing. In a review of literature on this topic, Gallou (2022) highlights evidence of the importance of these feelings for overall wellbeing.