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Discover Wales’ Past: Explore the Historic Environment Record (HER)

Your gateway to understanding, preserving, and contributing to Wales’ rich archaeological heritage.

The Historic Environment Record (HER) is Wales’ most comprehensive resource for archaeological and historical sites, managed regionally by Heneb.

Whether you’re researching, contributing, or simply curious, the HER connects you to 420,000 records of human history across Wales, from prehistoric times to the modern day.

The Historic Environment Record (HER) for Wales aims to provide comprehensive information regarding the known archaeological and historical sites, monuments, buildings, artefacts and landscapes for each county within Wales.

The HER is managed regionally through Heneb’s four regional offices which together cover all of Wales.

The HER holds around 420,000 records collected from a variety of sources since the late 1970s and includes details, both in digital and paper format of well- and lesser-known sites, in addition to records generated by archaeological projects undertaken in the area. 

Importance

The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 places a statutory duty on the Welsh Ministers to compile and keep up to date a historic environment record (HER) for each unitary authority area in Wales.

This duty is being discharged through the HER services of Heneb: The Trust for Welsh Archaeology.

The statutory HER is available for the public through the Archwilio website. 

The HER is the main source of historic environment information for Wales with records relating to all aspects of human activity in the landscape and the work undertaken to investigate, understand and manage the historic environment. 

Some records relate to legally protected sites such as Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings, but many relate to lesser-known features such as field systems and small dwellings.

The HER includes information relating to a wide range of sites of archaeological and historical interest such as:

  • Prehistoric burial monuments and settlements

  • Roman forts and roads

  • Post-medieval houses and industrial sites

  • Medieval courts and castles

  • Twentieth century civic and military structures

  • Archaeological objects

  • Historic landscapes and gardens

  • Placenames and battlefields

Search the Database on Archwilio

Whether you’re researching, contributing, or simply curious, the HER connects you to 420,000 records of human history across Wales, from prehistoric times to the modern day.

Deposit Data or Contribute to the HER

Commercial and Research projects submitting data please click here

Members of the public can contribute to the HER in a number of different ways. You can:

  • Let us know about any new information you may have or tell us if you see something which is incorrect 
  • Let us have a copy of any research you have done that might be useful for our records
  • Submit large or small datasets (please follow our data submission guidelines)
  • Volunteer with us to help us maintain and enhance the information we hold

For any of the above, please contact us using one of the following methods below.

Search the HER Records

Search the HER records online by visiting www.archwilio.org.uk 

Enquiries and Contact Information

Submit a HER Enquiry

For general queries or to arrange an appointment to visit one of our regional offices* email us at [email protected]

*Information on regional office opening times and contacts can be found in the HER Information Policy below. 

Request Primary Record Numbers

To request new Primary Record Numbers (PRNs) for either event or core records for a commercial or academic report please click here