Mission & Objectives

The purpose of the Historic Towns and Villages Forum is to provide support, training and information to organisations, professionals and others involved in the planning and management of historic cities, towns and villages. This is to ensure that historic towns are not just conserved for future generations, but that they realise their full economic potential. The Historic Towns and Villages Forum sees heritage as a major element in delivering sustainable economic development.

We deliver our purpose through events, training, research, lobbying, projects, publications and partnership development. We are a membership organisation and welcome opportunities to work with members to address their interests, as well as to partner with other bodies on issues of shared ground.

Studies undertaken in recent years have included volunteering and skills gaps in the built heritage sector, the role of communities in identifying local identity, and how to balance heritage and urban growth working with civic societies.

We are also an accredited IHBC CPD provider.