Useful links

The Isle of Wight Gardens Trust (IWGT) is a small charity run by volunteers. For more information about the IWGT visit their website.

The Yorkshire Gardens Trust, formed in 1996, works to conserve and foster this county's garden heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

The web site of the Sussex Gardens Trust provides informationabout about gardens in the area it covers, its activities, garden visits, and how to become a member.

The Surrey Gardens Trust's web site provides brief information about the nationally significant historic parks and gardens in the county. It also includes information about its projects, publications, and how to become a member.

The web site of the Somerset Gardens Trust provides information about its activities, events and how to become a member.

The web site of the Oxfordshire Gardens Trust includes information about its programme of lectures and garden visits, and how to become a member.

The Northamptonshire Gardens Trust's web site gives information about its activities and how to become a member.

The web site of the Norfolk Gardens Trust provides information about historic parks and gardens in the county, and about its publications. It also includes a gallery of photographs of gardens and details about how to become a member.

The London Parks & Gardens Trust's web site contains news, its Inventory of Historic Green Spaces, information about events, activities and its publications.

The web site for Lincolnshire Gardens Trust provides information about its events and competitions for the year, and how to become a member.

The Kent Gardens Trust's web site provides information about its projects, news, publications and how to become a member.

The web site for the Hertfordshire Gardens Trust provides information about its new, events, activities and publications.

The Hampshire Gardens Trust's web site includes information about their activities, events, publications, and the Hampshire Gardens Trust Library at the Southampton University Library.

The web site of the Gloucestershire Gardens & Landscape Trust contains information about historic gardens in the county, and its activites and events.

Essex Gardens Trust's website includes information about its events, publication, and how to become a member.

Dorset Gardens Trust's web site includes information about its activitie, historic gardens in the county, and how to become a member.

The Devon Gardens Trust's web site provides information about its activities, publications, Tree Register, and how to become a member.

The web site of the Cornwall Gardens Trust provides information about its activities, events, list of historic gardens recorded in the county, and how to become a member.

The Cheshire County Gardens Trust's web site includes information about its activities, events, and how to become a member.

The web site of the Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust includes information about its activities, events, projects, and how to become a member.

The web site of the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust contains information about its events, publications and how to become a member.

The Bedfordshire Gardens Trust includes information about its activities, events and on how to become a member.

The web site of the Avon Gardens Trust includes information about their projects, events, publications and how to become a member.

The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust encourages appreciation and understanding of the garden and landscape heritage of Wales.

Ropley History Network and Archive is run by a steering group and assisted by other volunteer cataloguers and contributors.

The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) is the only professional association for garden designers, and our many national and international Members represent the very best of the industry.

The Lutyens Trust is a charity dedicated to preserving and promoting the spirit and substance of Lutyens heritage.

Fields in Trust champions and supports our parks and green spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy in perpetuity. Because once lost, they are lost forever.

The Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada is dedicated to researching, preserving and encouraging the appreciation of Victoria’s heritage cemeteries.

The community around Brookfield Crescent including neighbours and young eco warriors from Uxendon Manor Primary School pooled their talents to create a "hidden oasis of stunning beauty" in a strip of land measuring just five metres by 45m.

The Woodland Trust, founded in 1972, is dedicated to the protection of the United Kingdom's native woodland heritage. It cares for and protects over 1,100 sites, 350 of which contain ancient woodland. They also replace woods previously lost. Their web site includes great learning resources about trees.

The Wolfson Foundation is a grant-giving body in the fields of science, medecine, health, education, the arts and humanities

War Memorials Trust works for the protection and conservation of war memorials in the UK.

The Walled Kitchen Gardens Network is an informal group of national organisations and individual experts. It aims to encourage a more integrated approach to restoring walled gardens, so that they become sustainable. Its web site provides information, advice and news about historic walled gardens.

Visit Britain provides tourist information about Britain. Its web site includes inspiration for places to visit, things to do, travel advice, and a booking service for accommodation.

Trees for Cities is an independent charity working with local communities on tree-planting and landscaping projects.

The Town and Country Planning Association campaigns for the reform of the UK’s planning system to make it more responsive to people’s needs and aspirations and to promote sustainable development.

Sussex Past is the web site of the Sussex Archaeological Society. The Society was founded in 1846, and is the largest of the county archaeological societies. The web site includes information about their archaeological and historical research activities, events, how to become a member, an online shop. It also provides information about their sites that are open to the public, including Fishbourne Roman Palace which has a restored Roman garden and a Roman Garden Museum.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings was founded by William Morris in 1877 to counteract the highly destructive 'restoration' of medieval buildings being practised by many Victorian architects. It is now concerned with old buildings of all periods and campaigns to protect them. Its web site provides information about all aspects of conserving old buildings, the Society's publications and news.

The Royal Institute of British Architects is the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession. Its web site provides information about its library and collection of drawings and photographs which are accessible to the public.

The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804, and is the UnitedKingdom's leading gardening charity. It encourages excellence in horticulture and aims to inspire interest in gardening. Its web site is a rich source of information about garden plants, and provides information about its education services.

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), also known as Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru (CBHC) is responsible for researching and recording the historic environment of Wales, and aims to develop and promote understanding of the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales. Its web site includes lots of information, including themed tours, resources for schools, and news.

Plant Heritage, formerly known as the National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens, encourages the propagation and conservation of endangered garden plants in the British Isles; research into cultivated plants, their origins, their historical and cultural importance and their environments; and the education of the public in garden plant conservation.

The Planning Officers Society represents the most senior professionals and managers of planning functions in the English Local Authorities. Their web site includes online publications relating to planning issues.

The People's Trust for Endangered Species is a charity for the conservation of animal and insect wildlife.

The Oral History Society web site provides advice on oral history; and information on training events, and contacts in the regional networks in the UK.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency(NIEA) is the largest Agency within the Department of the Environment. It advises on, and in implements, the Government's environmental policy and strategy in Northern IrelandThe overall aims are to protect and conserve Northern Ireland's natural heritage and built environment, control pollution and promote the wider appreciation of the environment and best environmental practices.

Natural England aims to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. Its web site provides information and advice on the natural environment.

The National Trust for Scotland is the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. The Trust acts as guardian of the nation's magnificent heritage of architectural, scenic and historic treasures. Its web site includes information about sites to visit and news about its sites.

The National Trust protects and opens to the public over 300 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills. It also looks after natural and designed landscapes, nature reserves, archaeological sites and villages.

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) is a fund of last resort to save British heritage at risk. Its web site gives information about the NHMF, what it has funded, news, and how to apply for grants.

The National Monuments Record (the NMR) is part of Historic England and is based at Swindon. It is possible to visit the search rooms at Swindon. The NMR provides various online resources, including catalogues, and information on heritage data standards.

The National Federation of Cemetery Friends was formed in 1986, and has members throughout the United Kingdom. Their web site provides advice and information on all aspects of historic cemeteries, and examples of restoration of cemeteries.

National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) is an arts-based charity, founded in 1968, with over 340 local Decorative and Fine Art Societies in the UK and Mainland Europe. It aims to encourage and develop the advancement of arts education and appreciation and the preservation of our artistic heritage. The Association promotes these aims through lectures on the fine and decorative arts in their widest sense, through study days, visits and tours and through volunteering activities.

Manx National Heritage protects, presents and promotes the unique cultural and historical heritage of the Isle of Man (also known as Mann). Its web site includes information about all aspects of Manx cultural heritage, including museums, the National Library, and archives as well as the Manx historic environment.

The London Parks and Green Spaces Forum’s mission is: “To promote a network of accessible quality green space, as a major contribution towards a healthier and more sustainable world city.”

The London Parks and Green Spaces Forum was established in 2001 through the combined efforts of a number of organisations that shared an interest and involvement in the delivery of park and green space services in and around London.

The LE:NOTRE Thematic Network Project in Landscape Architecture brings together over 100 universities from Europe and beyond, together with a wide range of stakeholder organisations to strengthen European links and dialogue within the discipline. Its web site provides information about the project.

JNCC is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation. Its work contributes to maintaining and enriching biological diversity, conserving geological features and sustaining natural systems. Its web site provides lots of information about its work and the natural environment in the UK.

ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) is an international non-governmental organisation of professionals, dedicated to the conservation of the world's historic monuments and sites. Its web site includes information about its work, who is involved, and World Heritage sites.

Historic Environment Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment and promoting its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace.

The Historic Houses Association represents 1,500 privately owned historic houses, castles and gardens throughout the UK. These are listed buildings or designated gardens, usually Grade I or II*, and are often outstanding. Its web site provides information about properties that are open to the public, education and outreach projects in which its members are involved, and news.

The Historic Gardens Foundation promotes and campaigns for the protection and conservation of historic parks and gardens everywhere in the world. It publishes the Historic Gardens Review magazine twice a year.

Highbury Park Friends support Highbury Park in Birmingham. Their web site includes information about who they are, how to get involved, events, pictures of the park, and links to other web sites.

The one stop shop for all things heritage.....

The Heritage Alliance (formerly Heritage Link) was set up in 2002 by national heritage groups to promote the central role of the voluntary movement in the sector and to make their voice heard collectively and coherently. It provides a forum for members to formulate and promote policy on core issues as well as a support and information network.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The scheme is currently expanding into Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Friends of Great Dixter provide financial support to the house and gardens of Great Dixter.

The Georgian Group is concerned with the conservation of is a statutory amenity society in England and Wales, which means that it is consulted on planning applications affecting listed Georgian buildings, monuments, parks and gardens.

The Gateway Gardens Trust is a unique heritage-based charity enabling access to historic parks and gardens of Wales and the West Midlands for those members of the community who find it difficult to access this essential part of Britain's historic environment.

HighGround (formerly called Gardening Leave) was started by Anna Baker Cresswell in 2007 to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of ex-Service personnel using Horticultural Therapy, in walled gardens.

Garden Organic - celebrating 50 years of organic growing - organic gardening, farming and food.

The Garden Museum in Lambeth, London (formerly the Museum of Garden History)

The only UK national charity dedicated to protecting and conserving our heritage of designed landscapes. They campaign on their behalf, undertake research and conservation work, and encourage public appreciation and involvement. Through the national network of County and Country Garden Trusts, they have access to people and local expertise throughout the country.

The European Garden Heritage Network aims to promote the value of gardens and parks in Europe. Its web site celebrates the rich diversity of gardens and garden history in Europe, especially in north west Europe.

The web site of the European Association of Archaeologists provides information about its activities and events, and downloadable copies of The European Archaeologist which includes updates of projects in Europe and elsewhere.

English Heritage exists to protect and promote England's historic environment and to ensure that its past is researched and understood.

Culture24 is the UK's official guide to over 3,000 museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage attractions. Culture24 offers daily arts news, exhibition reviews, listings and in-depth online trails, as well as having a comprehensive, fully searchable, database of over 3,000 cultural institutions.

Natural Resources Wales (Welsh: Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru) is a Welsh Government sponsored body, which became operational from 1 April 2013, when it took over the management of the natural resources of Wales. It was formed from a merger of the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales, and the Forestry Commission Wales, and also assumes some other roles formerly taken by Welsh Government.

The Country Land & Business Association (CLA) is the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales. Its web site provides news and information about its activities, policies and events. It also includes online access to the CLA Business Directory.

Formerly known as the MDA, the Collections Trust aims is to improve the quality of life by ensuring that cultural collections are available for use and enjoyment by everyone, now and for the future.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England was founded in 1926, and campaigns to protect and enhance England's landscape heritage for the benefit of all. Their web site includes news relating to the English countryside.

Cadw is the historic environment service of the Welsh Assembly Government.

CABI is a not-for-profit organization providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) provides advice on design of buildings and public spaces, and promotes better standards of design, education and development of skills.

The British Association for Local History web site has information about its activities and events. It also provides an index to and online abstracts of articles from The Local Historian together with an online version of Local History News.

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) was established in 1972 to provide a voice for landscapers and to raise standards throughout the industry. Their web site includes industry news and listings of job vacancies throughout the United Kingdom.

The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for distributing half the 'good cause' money from the National Lottery to improve communities and the lives of people most in need.

The Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe aims to promote European cemeteries as a very important part of our cultural heritage, and to encourage the protection, restoration and ongoing maintenance of cemeteries of historic and artistic significance.

The Society of Archivists is the principal professional body for archivists, archive conservators and records managers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its web site provides information and news about its activities and publications.

The Ancient Monuments Society was founded in 1924 'for the study and conservation of ancient monuments, historic buildings and fine old craftsmanship'. The Society is consulted on Listed Building Consent applications, and its work covers all ages and types of buildings. The web site provides information on its work and on how to become a member.

The Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Committee is made up of a group of voluntary like minded horticulturists who are committed to preserving, for future generations the Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes not only in Northern Ireland but also the Republic of Ireland.

The Circuit – the national defibrillator network, connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK.

Useful website with gardening guides and articles to help make the most of your green space.

One of the foremost journals in garden history scholarship. A list of the complete contents of journals dating back to 1966 is available on their website, alongside a cumulative index of all editions (only up to the year 2000) and information on how to view or order articles.

This website contains images of bandstands and band concerts from around the UK. It also provides links to images of bandstands around the world.

Founded in 1899 and originally dedicated to Queen Victoria, the VCH is an encyclopaedic record of England's places and people from earliest times to the present day.

The Unnetie Project is a searchable online archive of 10,000 digital images showing life in the rural and urban communities of North Yorkshire in the 19th and 20th centuries. These collections are held by North Yorkshire County Council Libraries, Archives and Arts, and the Dales Countryside Museum.

Web site with reviews written by travellers.

The National Archives is the official archive of the UK Government. They help government departments manage their information more effectively and promote the re-use of public sector information.

The Landscaper magazine is aimed at people professionally involved in landscaping and landscape design. Its web site includes online versions of its magazine.

Web site of The English Garden magazine, with online articles, advice, pictures and forums.

The Tyne and Wear Historic Environment Record online. This web resource is about the archaeology and historic environment of the county of Tyne and Wear. It includes educational resources for schools and local histories as well as the historic environment records.

The Science Museum, London is renowned world-wide for its historic collections and inspirational exhibitions. Its web site includes contact details, information about its learning resources and collections, and has a wealth of online learning resources.

The web site of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew contains a wealth of information about its historic plant collections, botanical science, plant conservation and biodiversity. It also provides information about its education work, together with downloadable resources for both students and teachers.

Richmondshire Museum is in Richmond, North Yorkshire. It was founded in 1974 by the Soroptimists of Richmond and the Dales; it opened its doors in 1978 in a former joiner's workshop, and has gradually grown ever since. Its web site includes information about where it is, the scope of its collections, and contact details.

Plantlife is an organisation that speaks up for the UK's wild plants. The organisation carries out practical conservation work, manages nature reserves, influences policy and legislation, runs events and activities that connect people with their local wild plants and works with others to promote the conservation of wild plants for the benefit of all.

Parks and Gardens of France aims to present all Parks and Gardens of France whether big or small, public or private open regularly or by appointment. Garden records are classified by region as well as by character.

The web site of the Old Lawnmowers Club has information about the club and how to become a member. It is also a rich source of information on all things to do with vintage lawnmowers, including their history and restoration of machines.

The Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Archive is held by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and contains a comprehensive record of over 700 historic parks, gardens and demesnes. Work on this archive was initiated by the NI Heritage Gardens Committee and the information was gathered through site inspection and map and documentary research and the records continue to be added to.

Access to a selection of collection guides for the National Trust collections.

The National Gardens Scheme was founded in 1927 to raise money for the nurses of the Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) by opening gardens of quality and interest to the public. The simple, but radical idea was to ask individuals to open up private gardens for 'a shilling a head'. At that time garden visiting was already a well established pastime, but only for a privileged few. In the first year 609 gardens raised over £8,000. A network of volunteer County Organisers was set up and by 1931 over 1,000 private gardens were open and Country Life magazine produced a handbook, known as "The Yellow Book" because of its bright cover.

The Milton Keynes Museum web site provides information about its collections and sites. It includes the collection of historical lawnmowers dating from the 1850s to the 1960s; and a re-created 19th century kitchen garden.

MAGIC provides a web-based interactive map of Great Britain that brings together a variety of information from different sources. It is a partnership project involving six government organisations who have responsibilities for rural policy-making and management. The partners are: Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), English Heritage, Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Communities and Local Government. It initially covered only England but now also includes information from the Coastal and Marine Resource Atlas.

The Institute of Historical Research (IHR) provides resources for historians. These resources include online articles, free event advertising, MA/PhD study, training courses, an open-access library and more.

Note: this site is now archived. Images of England is a ‘point in time’ photographic library of England’s listed buildings, recorded at the turn of the 21st century. You can view over 300,000 images of England’s built heritage from lamp posts to lavatories, phone boxes to toll booths, mile stones to gravestones, as well as thousands of bridges, historic houses and churches.

The web site of the popular History Today magazine includes some online articles.

Historic Environment - Local Management (HELM) is a partnership project led by Historic England and supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs. It aims to provide information and training to help the people who make decisions about the historic environment. The web site includes guidance and case studies.

Managed by English Heritage and working in collaboration with ALGEO and IHBC, the Heritage Gateway provides a single point of access to several of England's local and national historic environment records.

This website reflects the work of the Hampshire County Council in partnership with the Hampshire Gardens Trust who have been recording and researching historic parks and gardens in Hampshire. The records form the Hampshire Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

The Hall & Duck Trust owns the world's largest collection of vintage lawnmowers, dating from the 1850s to the 1940s, and an extensive archive. The web site contains lots of information about the history and restoration of lawnmowers.

The web site for the Gardens Illustrated magazine (published by the BBC) includes a searchable online index and a podcast.

This digital dossier was created by the Landscape Observatory of Catalonia and provides information about historic gardens, botanical gardens and other organizations associated with gardens and gardening in Catalonia, Spain, Europe and the rest of the world.

Gardenvisit.com links information about places to information about garden and landscape design. There are many resources available on this website including information about locating and visiting gardens, what tours are available, finding nurseries, learning about garden designers, getting advice on garden and landscape design, landscape architecture and links to related publications.

Learn more about the people, places and times that have shaped the history of the county of Surrey.

Europa Nostra is the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage. It represents over 250 non-Governmental organisations in 45 countries in Europe.Their web site contains a lot of information about heritage activities, campaigning, policy and initiatives to support and promote heritage. It includes information about the European Heritage Awards, and European Heritage Days.

Web site of the Country Life magazine. Includes online articles about countryside, architecture and culture.

Coflein is the online database for the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). It provides a wealth of information about the built environment heritage of Wales, and is available in Welsh and English.

The Central European Historic Garden Database provides access to over 1500 records of historic parks and gardens in Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

The British Lawnmower Museum is based in Southport, Lancashire, and is famous internationally famous. The web site includes photographs of historical lawnmowers and information about lawnmower racing.

The BBC Gardening web site has a wealth of information about gardening and plants, and includes a timeline of garden design history in the design section. Update 2020: this page is now archived and no longer updated.

The Archives Hub provides a single point of access to 23,066 descriptions of archives held in 189 UK repositories. At present these are primarily at collection-level, although complete catalogue descriptions are provided where they are available. The Archives Hub forms one part of the UK's National Archives Network, alongside related networking projects.

A Bibliography of Garden History by Ray Desmond

The European Institute for Gardens and Landscapes project will provide a showcase for European parks and gardens archives and accessible online.

Resources created to celebrate 300 years of Capability Brown's stunning landscape designs.

BuildingConservation.com includes details of suppliers of specialist products and services, listings for courses and skills training, links to all the industry's key organisations and technical articles by leading experts. It is the industry's leading website since 1998.