English Heritage Operational and Interpretation Signage - AWARD

The English Heritage Trust is a charity that manages 412 historic properties. These properties represent a precious collection of physical remains from a long span of England's history. 118 properties are staffed, and some are managed through Local Management Agreements, while the remainder are free to visit.

In opening our historic properties to visitors, we need to ensure that we provide the information necessary for them to navigate and understand the properties as part of their overall experience. A core element of this is well thought out signage.

1Getting signage at properties right is very important. The overall presentation of our sites says a great deal about us as an organisation, and we aspire to the highest standards in ensuring that signs are appropriately positioned, in good condition, properly worded and relevant.

All of our signs conform to a design style, developed with our Brand & Design team.

Signs can be either surface or post mounted. When we install new signage, consideration has to be given to a sign's impact on setting and/or historic fabric. English Heritage has to obtain Class 6 consent (SMC6) for any installation on a scheduled site. Occasionally signs may need planning permission. For locations where there are significant archaeological remains at shallow depth, it may be possible to install a sign with a plate footing, rather than a post fixed in concrete.