Saturday January 24th 2026
Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian (photo by Joe Gilhooley LRPS)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
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 by Historic England and the University of Glasgow.
It was found that these benefits arise from the emotional connection people form with historic places familiar to them, from piers and pubs to cinemas and churches.
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 also shows that historic places possess restorative qualities comparable to natural green spaces, promoting wellbeing.
The Glasgow University report builds on the 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.
‘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.”
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