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.

Who’s Exhibiting?

Click here for the full list of exhibitors at the 2026 event.

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 remains open until 16^th October, click here to register.

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

Doors open at 9am

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on Tel: 01462 896688

Historic Houses members should only register to attend with Historic Houses head office.

Full Programme for 2026

Please note timings and details may be subject to change so do check back for the latest info. (If you have registered to attend, you will be sent a copy of the final programme towards the end of October).

The demos and short talks will be on a wide range of subjects as below and more details are available on the demos page by clicking here

PRACTICAL DEMOS

• Plaster Recipes and Mixes, and Stucco Repair. Showing a variety of plaster recipes and mixes of sands, aggregates and fibres. and the process of repairing damage to an angle or moulding on a Roman cement Stucco Panel.
• Creating Stunning Plasterworks. see first-hand the traditional skills and techniques involved in creating decorative plasterwork.
• The Traditional Craft of Letter Carving see experts in action and discover more about the techniques involved in letter carving

SHORT TALKS

• Pointing and Render on Historic Buildings: Getting It Right
• Making Heritage Playful: Designing for Families in Historic Places
• From inheritance to resilience: a joined-up approach to historic gardens
• Why Heritage Planning Matters Quiz

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, 3rd Floor Exhibition Hall

9.45AM Heritage Potential Quiz: Why Heritage Planning Matters  
A quick-fire session to stimulate thought and discussion
Niall Hanrahan, Director, Heritage Potential, Demo Area 2

10.00AM  Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo (1 of 4)
Live craft demonstrations on stand B13, led by craftsman, Jamie Rodwell.
Jamie has been part of the Locker & Riley team for nearly 20 years, having joined the company through their industry-recognised apprenticeship scheme. Jamie has developed a wealth of experience in the manufacture of fine decorative plasterwork and has extensive portfolio of prestigious projects, including royal palaces, historic country houses, super-prime residences and hospitality schemes, as well as exclusive commercial buildings.
These demonstrations will provide visitors with an opportunity to see first-hand the traditional skills and techniques involved in creating decorative plasterwork.
Jamie Rodwell, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

10.00AM The Traditional Craft of Letter Carving: Practical Demo (1 of 3)
Gareth Williams, an accomplished stonemason with extensive experience in the conservation of historic buildings, Gareth has worked on many significant landmarks, including Burghley House, Knebworth House, the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Leicester Cathedral. Discover more about the techniques involved in letter carving. The team will be on hand to answer questions about wider conservation and the specialist skills used in preserving our built heritage
Gareth Williams: Messenger BCR, Stand E61

10.15AM From inheritance to resilience: a joined-up approach to historic gardens: Short talk: 
In this short talk, Hugo Bugg will explain why running a historic garden is expensive, and the hardest part usually isn’t commitment, it’s knowing what to change and what to protect. This short talk sets out a joined-up approach for private owners: starting with a clear understanding of a garden’s history, moving through considered design, and arriving at a management plan that’s realistic to fund. In 15 minutes, it covers some of the pressures owners are facing and makes the case that efficiency and beauty aren’t in conflict. The aim isn’t to solve everything, but to leave you with a clearer, more confident way to plan what comes next
Hugo Bugg: Harris Bugg Studio, Demo Area 1

10.30AM SPAB Fellows; Plaster Recipes and Mixes, and Stucco Repair: Practical Demos: (1of 4)
Matthew James, Spab Fellow, Founder of Gower Lime Work
Heritage plasterer, Matt James will be showing and discussing a variety of plaster recipes and mixes of sands, aggregates and fibres.  These will be demonstrated and applied to a Lath Panel. https://gowerlimework.com/
Tom Jones, SPAB Fellow, Founder of Craftsman & Friends
Tom will show the creation of a Roman (natural) cement stucco panel incorporating a moulding and demonstrate the process of repairing damage to an angle or moulding, including the techniques and materials involved. This demonstration will be of particular interest to anyone who owns or cares for a property with a stucco façade, as this kind of work often requires ongoing maintenance and sympathetic repair. https://www.craftsmanandfriends.co.uk/
Matt James & Tom Jones, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2

10.45 AM Making Heritage Playful: Designing for Families in Historic Places: Short talk
How can play help historic houses and estates attract more families, encourage visitors to explore beyond the house, and increase dwell time, without compromising the character and significance of the place?
This short talk will explore how historic architecture, landscapes and stories can become the inspiration for play, rather than treating play as something that has to be added as a separate attraction. From designing sensitively within historic landscapes to turning an estate’s history and architecture into opportunities for discovery, movement and imagination, we’ll look at how thoughtful play can create richer experiences for children and adults alike, and give families new reasons to visit, stay longer and come back.
Joe Cooper, Founder, Touchwood Play, Demo Area 1

11.00AM The Traditional Craft of Letter Carving: Practical Demo continues
Gareth Williams, continues his demonstration (see 10am above) of the techniques involved in traditional letter carving. The team will also be on hand to answer questions about wider conservation and the specialist skills used in preserving our built heritage
Gareth Williams: Messenger BCR, Stand E61

11.00AM Historic Houses AGM (Members only)*
Churchill Auditorium

11.20AM Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo continues
Jamie Rodwell continues (see 10am above) his Live craft demonstrations on Locker & Riley stand B13, led by craftsman, Jamie Rodwell. These demonstrations will provide visitors with an opportunity to see first-hand the traditional skills and techniques involved in creating decorative plasterwork.
Jamie Rodwell, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

11.35AM Address by Jason Lindsay, Historic Houses President**
Churchill Auditorium

12.00PM Historic Houses Awards Ceremony**
Churchill Auditorium

12.30PM SPAB Fellows
Plaster Recipes and Mixes, and Stucco Repair: Practical Demos continue
Matthew James, Spab Fellow, Founder of Gower Lime Work and Tom Jones, SPAB Fellow, Founder of Craftsman & Friends Continue (See 10.30am above) to demonstrate plaster recipes and mixes of sands, aggregates and fibres including applying to a Lath Panel. The repairing of damage to a Roman Cement Stucco panel including the techniques and materials involved.
Matt James & Tom Jones, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2

2.00PM SPAB Fellows
Plaster Recipes and Mixes, and Stucco Repair: Practical Demos continue
Matthew James, Spab Fellow, Founder of Gower Lime Work and Tom Jones, SPAB Fellow, Founder of Craftsman & Friends Continue (See 10.30am above) to demonstrate plaster recipes and mixes of sands, aggregates and fibres including applying to a Lath Panel. The repairing of damage to a Roman Cement Stucco panel including the techniques and materials involved.
Matt James & Tom Jones, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2

2.00PM John Goodall & Clive Aslet, The Future of the Past **
Churchill Auditorium

2.15PM Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo continues
Jamie Rodwell continues (see 10am above) his Live craft demonstrations on Locker & Riley stand B13, led by craftsman, Jamie Rodwell. These demonstrations will provide visitors with an opportunity to see first-hand the traditional skills and techniques involved in creating decorative plasterwork.
Jamie Rodwell, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

2.30PM Jeremy Musson, The Country Houses Foundation **
Churchill Auditorium

2.40PM Historic Houses Savills Lecture**
Miranda Rock, Burghley House: Past, Present and Future
Churchill Auditorium

3.00PM The Traditional Craft of Letter Carving: Practical Demo continues
Gareth Williams, continues his demonstration (see 10am above) of the techniques involved in traditional letter carving. The team will also be on hand to answer questions about wider conservation and the specialist skills used in preserving our built heritage
Gareth Williams: Messenger BCR, Stand E61
 
3.15PM  Pointing and Render on Historic Buildings: Getting It Right: Short talk: 
In this talk, Douglas Kent, SPAB Director of Advice, shares practical advice on maintaining and repairing external pointing and render on historic buildings, explaining how to choose appropriate materials and avoid common mistakes.
Douglas Kent, SPAB Technical & Research Director, Demo Area 1

3.30PM SPAB Fellows
Plaster Recipes and Mixes, and Stucco Repair: Practical Demos continue
Matthew James, Spab Fellow, Founder of Gower Lime Work and Tom Jones, SPAB Fellow, Founder of Craftsman & Friends Continue (See 10.30am above) to demonstrate plaster recipes and mixes of sands, aggregates and fibres including applying to a Lath Panel. The repairing of damage to a Roman Cement Stucco panel including the techniques and materials involved.
Matt James & Tom Jones, SPAB Fellows, Demo Area 2
 
3.40PM Book Signings TBC
Demo Area 2

4.00PM Creating Stunning Plasterworks: Practical Demo continues
Jamie Rodwell continues (see 10am above) his Live craft demonstrations on Locker & Riley stand B13, led by craftsman, Jamie Rodwell. These demonstrations will provide visitors with an opportunity to see first-hand the traditional skills and techniques involved in creating decorative plasterwork.
Jamie Rodwell, Locker & Riley, Stand B13

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