Historic Environment Record (HER)

The Archaeology Section maintains and enhance the HER. The HER is principal source of information about the Historic Environment of County Durham and Darlington. Local authorities, developers, consultants, academic researchers and members of the public all use the HER. It records all aspects of our surrounding environment that have been built, formed or influenced by human activity.

Brooch

The Durham HER is a computerised inventory of known archaeological sites, historic buildings and other buildings of historical significance including listed buildings as well as ancient monuments and finds-spots of artefacts within County Durham. The record covers the districts of Durham City, Derwentside, Easington, Chester-le-Street, Sedgefield, Teesdale, Wear Valley and the Unitary Authority of Darlington.

Bishop Auckland Deer park

The information is managed and organised on a computer database, which is combined with Geographical Information System GIS technology and can be supplemented with various types of information, such as plans and photographs that are held as background information. ‘Keys to the Past’ contains an edited version of the Durham and Northumberland County Councils HER's.

Currently Durham HER has over 13,500 records and it is constantly being edited and updated. New research or finds are continually added, and eventually made available to the public through the ‘Keys to the Past’ website. Any research requiring up-to-date results should be made by consulting the Durham County Council Archaeology Section direct. This is essential if your enquiry concerns any planning matters. The information on the HER is copyright to Durham County Council.

PDF Icon 2008-09 HER Access policy.pdf (4 pages, 135kb)

PDF Icon 2008-09 charging scheme Final version3.pdf (3 pages, 386kb)

Services the HER provides includes:

The HER is held at the Rivergreen Centre in Durham City, where you can make an appointment to see it, we provide the following resources:

Desk space and a computer terminal (which may need to be booked in advance).
Expert staff on hand to assist, advise and answer queries.
Websites with interpreted information and a fully searchable version of the current/up-to-date HER database.

However, much of the information on the archaeology of County Durham is available on our extensive 'Keys to the Past' website at: www.keystothepast.info. Please note archaeological contractors are advised not to use Keys to the Past as a primary source.

Aerial photograph of Whessoe

County Durham HER is a public record, and we welcome enquiries and further information from anyone

Archaeology Section
Durham County Council
Adult and Community Services
Cultural and Leisure
The Rivergreen Centre
Durham
DH1 5TS

Tel: 0191 3708712/8846
Fax: 0191 3708897
Email: Archaeology

Historic Environment Record (HER)

Services the HER provides includes:

Links to Other Archaeology Pages