Our Policies

The HHA works for a fiscal, political and economic climate in which private owners can maintain Britain's historic houses and gardens for the benefit of the nation and for future generations.

We draw on the practical knowledge and experience of our members, obtained through case studies and nationwide surveys, to inform our lobbying to government, at the European, national, regional and local level.  

The historic houses, castles and gardens of the UK are the stewards of a rich cultural heritage, umatched in Europe, in that only in the UK can so much of a country's art, furniture, textiles and ceramics be seen in the houses and surroundings for which they were intended. 

But the contribution of historic houses extends much wider than this: they generate jobs and incomes in fragile rural economies; they are invigorating places for learning and understanding; and they provide places where people can come to share a common history and to escape the routine of their daily lives.

The wider value of historic houses is set out in our manifesto,"Inspirational Places - the value of Britain's historic houses"

The HHA works in partnership with other heritage and conservation organisations to demonstrate the importance of heritage to the cultural, social and economic life of the nation - fundamental to people's health, happiness and quality of life.

The HHA believes that:

• the conservation and understanding of heritage, and within that privately owned heritage, is essential for a healthy and modern society and economy, and supports the public's understanding of their individual and common identity, our place in history and our vision for the future
• the continued ownership and conservation of heritage in the private sector, in trust for the future, is the most cost effective way to deliver heritage benefits to the public as a whole
• heritage should be embraced as a means to fulfil a number of Government objectives, on health, education, urban and rural regeneration and employment as well as culture and tourism
• we should acknowledge the "existence value" of heritage and recognise that it is irreplaceable - lost for ever once it is gone
• public policies should enable owners and heritage managers to make this contribution.