Visitor Information

This year, the Historic Houses National AGM 2024 marks the culmination of a yearlong programme of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Association’s foundation. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the V&A’s ‘Destruction of the Country House’ exhibition, which did so much to bring the fate of historic houses to public attention. The Historic Houses National AGM will reflect on the revival in the fortunes of houses over the last 50 years and consider what the next 50 years might hold.

Visitors may listen to the address by Martha Cobbold, President of Historic Houses*, and hear from their guest speakers Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A* and Lord Mendoza CBE, Chair of Historic England*and the Savills lecture given by Henry & Martha Cobbold of Knebworth* alongside 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 the latest details

*by kind permission of Historic Houses and subject to seating.

Who’s Exhibiting?

Examples of the types of services and advice represented at the exhibition include; interior and exterior building conservation, repair and decoration, garden and landscape design and restoration, lighting, security, building alterations & extensions, carpet restoration, information technology, cast stone, columns & pilasters, estate management, gates, gilding, ironwork, terracotta, textiles, windows, fine art restoration, auctions, energy conservation, valuations, catering, insurance, gifts, souvenirs, publishing, printing, event management and many, many more.

Admission & Registration

FREE ADMISSION is available to everyone in the historic buildings, landscape conservation and heritage sectors. This includes owners of historic buildings, parks & gardens, private or commercial, historic landscapes and all those who are involved in their upkeep, restoration or conservation.

Pre-registration for the Historic Buildings, Parks & Gardens Event is now closed. You can still come along on the 12^th November and register on arrival at the reception desks. Entrance to the event is free of charge.

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE

Doors open at 9am

Historic Houses members are not eligible for registration with us and should register with Historic Houses.

2024 Programme

(Please note timings may be subject to change)

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.

9.45AM Collections Management: Considering, Lighting and displaying to best effect. Heating: impact and options, Inventory management: listing and auditing, Conservation: practicality and cost efficiency. Crispian Riley – Smith, Founder, Art Advisory Group Demo Area 2

10.00AM Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo. Artisans in plaster will take you through the story of originating and creating stunning plasterworks for any use or specification. From original design concept to installation. Ryan Stanford, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

10.15AM – Decorative Objects Conservation: Practical Demo in care, cleaning, handling and damage restoration, including porcelain, fine china, terracotta and earthenware. Amy, Decorative Objects Conservator, Fine Art Restoration, Demo Area 1

10.30AM – Woodcarving: Practical Demo. Cutting dovetail joints and assembling all the elements of a cabinet draw. Piers Shorrock, student, at the Building Crafts College, Demo Area 2

10.40AM – Renewable Energy Technologies: advantages and pitfalls of air, ground, and water source heat pumps, biomass boilers, HVO boilers, direct electric heating. Peter Webb (Director Building Services), Ingleton Wood, Demo Area 1

11.00AM Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo. Artisans in plaster will take you through the story of originating and creating stunning plasterworks for any use or specification. From original design concept to installation. Ryan Stanford, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

11.00AM Historic Houses AGM (Historic House Members only), Churchill Auditorium 

11.30AM Address by Martha Cobbold, Historic Houses President*, Churchill Auditorium 

11.50PM Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A*, Churchill Auditorium 

12.30PM – Woodcarving: Practical Demo. Cutting dovetail joints and assembling all the elements of a cabinet draw. Piers Shorrock, student, at the Building Crafts College, Demo Area 2

1.45PM – Climate change adaption and resilience for historic buildings and gardens: headline hazards, implications and actions. Morwenna Slade (Director, Climate Change), Ingleton Wood, Demo Area 1

2.00PM – Stone Carving: Practical Demo. The Carving a Tudor rose, the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England. It consists of five inner petals representing the House of York, and five outer petals representing the House of Lancaster. Max Higgins. Mason in residence at the Building Crafts College, Demo Area 2

2.15PM Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo. Artisans in plaster will take you through the story of originating and creating stunning plasterworks for any use or specification. From original design concept to installation. Ryan Stanford, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

2.30PM Lord Mendoza CBE, Chair of Historic England*, Churchill Auditorium

2.45PM Historic Houses Awards *, Churchill Auditorium 

3.00PM Historic Houses Savills Lecture*, Henry & Martha Cobbold, Churchill Auditorium

3.15PM  – Controlling Dampness in Older Buildings. Most forms of deterioration affecting buildings in the UK result from excessive moisture. Despite being commonplace, dampness problems are widely misdiagnosed with resources frequently being wasted on damaging and ineffective treatments. This talk offers a few pointers on how to treat dampness successfully in older (pre-1919) buildings. SPAB Technical & Research Director, Douglas Kent, Demo Area 1

3.45PM – Book Signings, The British Country House Revival by Ben Cowell, Director General, Historic Houses, 3^rd Floor Exhibition Hall.

4.00PM – Stone Carving: Practical Demo. The Carving a Tudor rose, the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England. It consists of five inner petals representing the House of York, and five outer petals representing the House of Lancaster. Max Higgins. Mason in residence at the Building Crafts College, Demo Area 2

4.15PM Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo. Artisans in plaster will take you through the story of originating and creating stunning plasterworks for any use or specification. From original design concept to installation. Ryan Stanford, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

*By kind permission of Historic Houses and subject to seating availability