Visitor Information

The 2026 Historic Houses National AGM marks the 53rd 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 which will be announced in 2026. 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.

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.

Entrance to the event is free of charge. Pre-registration for the Historic Buildings, Parks & Gardens Event will be open in early 2026.

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.

Programme for 2025

Below is the full programme from the 2025 exhibition

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

• Decorative Objects Conservation. Preserving the Past: How Damp and Mould Threaten Art Collections in Historic Properties
• How Repairs Can be Made to Sash Windows. Demonstrating traditional craft techniques and modern conservation approaches.
• Creating Stunning Plasterworks. See the casting of a variety of Fibrous Plaster wall & ceiling enrichments, that enhance, add depth and charm to the finish of any project.
• Using Traditional Paints a demonstration on the use and application of Limewash and Distemper.
• The Application of Winter Covers, how to protect historic statues and decorative stonework from frost and water damage with the application of Winter Covers.

SHORT TALKS

• Don’t Replace – Repair: Savings Old Windows
• Transforming Historic Landscapes
• Building Futures in Heritage
• Why Heritage Planning Matters Quiz

ON STAND DEMOS WITH Q&A

• Using proprietary Project & Cost Management software, designed to ensure restoration projects remain on budget and on programme
• Software solutions for Venue Booking and Event Management at Historic Houses

 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