11th November 2025
The Historic Buildings Parks & Gardens Event – 11th November 2025
Entrance to the event is free of charge. Pre-registration for the Historic Buildings, Parks & Gardens Event is now closed but you can still register for free on the day.
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE
Doors open at 9am
The Historic Buildings, Parks and Gardens Event (HBPGE) is held annually in parallel with the Historic Houses Annual General Meeting. The event has been running for over 35 years.
Free entry to the HBPGE is available to everyone in the historic buildings, landscape conservation and heritage sectors. Owners, guardians, volunteers, professionals management staff and advisers involved with historic buildings (private, commercial, industrial, Grade I listed buildings, cathedrals, churches, manor houses, windmills, historic town centres), parks, gardens and historic landscapes,. All are welcome.
The combination of the HBPGE exhibition with over 70 stands,
Historic Houses guest speakers, live demonstrations, short talks, an opportunity to meet experts and a freeSPAB advice surgery, means you can be assured of an interesting and rewarding day.
The 2025 Historic Houses National AGM marks the 52nd anniversary of the Association’s foundation.
Places matter
Britain’s historic houses are a magnet for tourists and an essential part of what makes this country special. But they also make a vital contribution to our economy and communities.
Everyone benefits
Our houses and gardens are hubs for whole communities, and always have been. They’re places to work, learn, exercise and relax, to feel better and to feel included, to enjoy peace and quiet or to meet others. There is something for everyone. Between them, our member houses and gardens welcome over 19 million visits each year, generating £1 billion in visitor spend and supporting over 12,000 FTE jobs in all corners of the UK. These special places are often cultural lynchpins for their local communities, bringing together opportunities for access to great art, architecture and craftsmanship with the creative industries, health and wellbeing activities, community groups and access to beauty, nature and open space.
Visitors will be able to listen to the address by Jason Lindsay, President of Historic Houses,* and guest speakers Baroness Twycross, DCMS* and Dr Anna Keay OBE, Director of The Landmark Trust*. Throughout the day there will also be a selection of short talks and live demonstrations given by experts about practical skills and conservation techniques at the HBPGE.
Please keep an eye on the website for updates on this years event.
*by kind permission of Historic Houses and subject to seating.
Look around the exhibition
The highly comprehensive exhibition consists of a wide variety of companies and organisations, providing, advice, solutions, guidance, support, information, and products & services for all aspects of the historic buildings, landscape conservation and heritage sectors.
Visitors have a superb opportunity to discuss current and future projects with experts and specialist suppliers. With everything on offer, from the traditional, to cutting edge technology, you can meet with professionals from all aspects of the historic buildings, landscape and heritage conservation sectors. These include historic buildings exteriors and their contents, historic landscapes, parks and gardens, both private and commercial.
Meet the experts
The SPAB will be running a free Advice Surgery. The Victorian Society, The Gardens Trust, The William Morris Society, Professional Gardeners Guild, and many specialist organisations, suppliers and professionals are on hand to help with all aspects of historic buildings, landscape and heritage conservation.
Live demonstrations programme
Held throughout the day, experts including SPAB Guardians, will demonstrate practical skills and conservation techniques.
To see this year’s demonstrations and short talks list click here.
Below is the full programme but please note timings and details may be subject to change so please check back for the latest info. (If you have registered to attend, you will be sent a copy of the final programme).
The demos and short talks will be on a wide range of subjects as below and full details are available on the demos page by clicking here
PRACTICAL DEMOS
SHORT TALKS
ON STAND DEMOS WITH Q&A
9.00AM The Historic Buildings Parks & Gardens Event opens.
Featuring an All-day Exhibition of products and services with 75 exhibitors, as well as live practical demonstrations held throughout the day, where experts show practical skills, conservation techniques on a wide range of issues relating to the conservation of historic buildings including contents and historic landscapes.
Tea, coffee and refreshments available from 9am
9.45AM – Traditional Paints: Practical Demo
Showing the use of Limewash and Distemper, the demonstration will discuss the difference between these authentic traditional paints, their appropriateness for use in solid walled historic buildings. Application methods will be discussed and demonstrated. Tom Balch, Director Rose of Jericho, Demo Area 2
10.00AM – Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo
Graham Stamp, a highly skilled and experienced fibrous plasterer whose craftmanship can be seen in Royal Palaces, Private Country Estates, Luxury Hotels and Showrooms, will be showing the casting of a variety of Fibrous Plaster Enrichment Decorations. These wall & plaster ceiling enrichments, enhance, add depth and charm to the finish of any project. Locker & Riley, Stand D23
10.00AM – Event Planning & Venue Management software: Demo and Q&A
Showing how to manage your venue, event timeline, and critical path by using specialist software designed with the user in mind. 30 years of expertise in software development brings you a system which is highly customizable, efficient, consistent, and secure. Streamlining and simplifying a wide range of tasks, including event marketing, communications, and planning. It’s an all-in-one tool. Joel Cherrett, Event Pro, Stand E39
10.15AM – Decorative Objects Conservation: Practical Demo: Preserving the Past: How Damp and Mould Threaten Art Collections in Historic Properties. Whether managing a private estate or public house, this talk offers essential insights to help protect your artwork, preserve legacy, and maintain value. Mould-related deterioration is an increasingly urgent concern for conservators, so we are keen to raise greater awareness around this issue. Amy Walsh, Decorative Objects Conservator, The Fine Art Restoration Company, Demo Area 1
10.30AM – How Repairs Can be Made to Sash Windows: Practical Demo
Demonstrating traditional craft techniques and modern conservation approaches to sash window repair. Demonstrations will run through the repair of a sash casement. Focusing on the best repair approach, where applicable the production of like for like components produced using traditional hand tools. The use of appropriate reversible adhesives and sympathetic paints with an emphasis on like for like repair and reversible conservation. James Bull and Ross Harris, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2
10.40AM – Apprentice Q&A: Building futures in heritage: Short talk:
A dynamic Q&A session with Chris Wright, Project Director and Josh Gale, Production Management Trainee, spotlighting the next generation of talent shaping the heritage sector. Hear directly from apprentices as they share their journeys, challenges, and aspirations. This session will also explore the specialist training received as part of Wates’ delivery on the prestigious Parliament project – offering a rare insight into how heritage skills are being preserved and passed on through real-world experience on one of the UK’s most iconic sites. Wates Construction, Demo Area 1
10.40AM – The Application of Winter Covers: Practical Demo
A Practical demonstration of how to protect historic statues and decorative stonework from frost and water damage with the application of Winter Covers. Cliveden Conservation, Stand D33
11.00AM – Two-minute silence in all areas
We invite you to pause for a two-minute silence, and reflect on the service and sacrifices the Armed Forces make on our behalf
11.02 AM – Project & Cost Management software: Demo and Q&A
Baker Wilkins & Smith will be demonstrating their proprietary Project & Cost Management software, designed to ensure restoration projects remain on budget and on programme. Marcus Siddons, Baker Wilkins & Smith, Stand D22
11.02AM – Historic Houses AGM (Members only)* Churchill Auditorium
11.20AM – Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo continues
Graham Stamp, a highly skilled and experienced fibrous plasterer whose craftmanship can be seen in Royal Palaces, Private Country Estates, Luxury Hotels and Showrooms, will be showing the casting of a variety of Fibrous Plaster Enrichment Decorations. These wall & plaster ceiling enrichments, enhance, add depth and charm to the finish of any project. Locker & Riley, Stand D23
11.35AM – Address by Jason Lindsay, Historic Houses President**. Churchill Auditorium
12.00PM – The Baroness Twycross, DCMS **. Churchill Auditorium
12.30PM – How Repairs Can be Made to Sash Windows: Practical Demo continues
Demonstrating traditional craft techniques and modern conservation approaches to sash window repair. James Bull and Ross Harris, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2
1.30PM – Event Planning & Venue Management software: Demo and Q&A
Showing how to manage your venue, event timeline, and critical path by using specialist software designed with the user in mind. 30 years of expertise in software development brings you a system which is highly customizable, efficient, consistent, and secure. Streamlining and simplifying a wide range of tasks, including event marketing, communications, and planning. It’s an all-in-one tool. Joel Cherrett, Event Pro, Stand E39
1.45PM – Transforming Historic Landscapes:
In this short talk, Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, founders of Harris Bugg Studio, will explore how history can shape contemporary design, drawing on the studio’s work transforming The Kitchen Garden at RHS Bridgewater. Once the heart of a great estate, today Bridgewater is one of the RHS’s most successful visitor gardens — a thriving attraction that continues to inspire the public and will do so for generations to come. Charlotte Harris, Harris Bugg Studio, Demo Area 1
2.00PM – How Repairs Can be Made to Sash Windows: Practical Demo continues
Demonstrating traditional craft techniques and modern conservation approaches to sash window repair. James Bull and Ross Harris, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2
2.00PM – Technical Advice with Historic Houses Director General, Ben Cowell and Technical Advisor, Robert Parker**. Churchill Auditorium
2.15PM – Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo continues
Graham Stamp, a highly skilled and experienced fibrous plasterer whose craftmanship can be seen in Royal Palaces, Private Country Estates, Luxury Hotels and Showrooms, will be showing the casting of a variety of Fibrous Plaster Enrichment Decorations. These wall & plaster ceiling enrichments, enhance, add depth and charm to the finish of any project. Locker & Riley, Stand D23
2.20PM – Historic Houses Awards**. Churchill Auditorium
2.40PM – Historic Houses Savills Lecture**
Dr Anna Keay OBE, Director of The Landmark Trust. Churchill Auditorium
3.00PM – Project & Cost Management software: Demo and Q&A
Baker Wilkins & Smith will be demonstrating their proprietary Project & Cost Management software, designed to ensure restoration projects remain on budget and on programme. Marcus Siddons, Baker Wilkins & Smith, Stand D22
3.15PM – Don’t Replace – Repair: Saving Old Windows
Every year countless old windows are lost because they are wrongly seen as beyond repair – stripping old buildings of character and history. In this talk, Douglas Kent, SPAB Technical and Research Director, shares practical advice on maintaining and repairing old timber and metal windows, showing how, with the right care, they can outlast many modern replacements. SPAB Technical & Research Director, Douglas Kent, Demo Area 1
3.50PM – Heritage Potential Quiz: Why Heritage Planning Matters
A quick-fire session to stimulate thought and discussion. Heritage Potential, Demo Area 1
4.00PM – How Repairs Can be Made to Sash Windows: Practical Demo continues
Demonstrating traditional craft techniques and modern conservation approaches to sash window repair. James Bull and Ross Harris, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2
4.15PM – Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo continues
Graham Stamp, a highly skilled and experienced fibrous plasterer whose craftmanship can be seen in Royal Palaces, Private Country Estates, Luxury Hotels and Showrooms, will be showing the casting of a variety of Fibrous Plaster Enrichment Decorations. These wall & plaster ceiling enrichments, enhance, add depth and charm to the finish of any project. Locker & Riley Stand D23
* Historic Houses members ticket only
**By kind permission of Historic Houses and subject to seating availability
OPENING HOURS
Tuesday 11th November 2025, 9am – 5pm
VENUE
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE
ADMISSION
Entrance to this major heritage conservation day is free of charge to everyone in the historic buildings, landscape conservation and heritage sectors. Owners, guardians, volunteers and professionals from all sectors are welcome.
Pre-registration for the Historic Buildings, Parks & Gardens Event is now closed but you can still register for free on the day.
The Historic Buildings, Parks and Gardens Event, which has been running for over 35 years is held in parallel with the Historic Houses Annual General Meeting.
For more information about the event please click here