Exmoor’s Historic Environment Record Brought to life through film

The film features Dr Lucy Shipley, Historic Environment Record (HER) Officer for Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA), talking about her role and the Exmoor sites cared for the Historic environment team at ENPA. The job of the HER Officer for each National Park is to collect information about all important places in our Heritage and to share that information with the public. In both National Parks and across the country the data held in HERs is used to make decisions on land use and management practice, working closely with Natural England, Historic England and landowners.

Lucy said: “I’m so excited that the work of our National Park Historic Environment Record is being featured in this way. If you’ve ever wondered how the ancient sites and historical places within our National Parks are cared for, or even if you just love history and maps, this is the film for you. As part of the development of the film, the camera crew joined me on Exmoor, where we headed out to the wild expanse of Kittuck Meads and the abandoned Victorian farmstead of Larkbarrow to introduce the role of the Historic Environment Records. This was the perfect place to show how vibrant, far reaching and ever changing HERs can be, from Mesolithic hunter gatherers to World War II bomb craters, with standing stones and remnants of the agricultural revolution all around.”

You can  view the film here Our thanks to Historic England, Natural England and Fletcher Wilson films.

You can access the Exmoor HER online here: Home - The Historic Environment Record for Exmoor National Park

Pat Lehain, Senior Officer, Natural England said: “Natural England have long valued the partnership work with Exmoor National Park.  The role of their Historic Environment Record has been crucial in informing Natural England’s work with landowners to enhance the rich cultural, environmental, and historic interest of Exmoor. Identifying the historic features across Exmoor, which often date back many millennia, enables Natural England to help landowners ensure future generations can enjoy and learn from them.”

The role of HERs in combatting climate change also features heavily in the film. From devastating wildfires to the impact of flash flooding, HER data helps understand both the impact of climate events and the work needed for restoration and repair.The film brings an insight into the different ways HERs across the country bring alive the value of heritage as a vital resource for community building, tourism, sustainable development and land management.

Looking ahead, Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) is also preparing for the launch of its ‘Heritage at Risk’ project funded by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This will focus on monitoring and protecting vulnerable monuments across Exmoor.

Kimberley Colman is Heritage Ranger with Exmoor National Park Authority. She said: “At the heart of this initiative is a focus on ‘Heritage at Risk.’ Scattered across Exmoor’s hills and moorlands are ancient monuments - burial mounds, enclosures, and trackways that tell stories of ritual, settlement and memory. These features face increasing threats from erosion, vegetation growth, livestock movement and climate change. “We’re inviting volunteers to become stewards of Exmoor’s past. Participants will learn to monitor the condition of heritage assets, contribute to a growing archive, and develop skills in archaeological and digital recording. Between 2026 and 2028, there will be opportunities to work alongside heritage professionals, gaining firsthand experience in conservation.”

The Heritage at Risk project has been made possible by funding from Historic England and UK Government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside funding from BMW and CareMoor for Exmoor.

About Historic EnglandHistoric England helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate the historic places that make England special. It works across the country to protect much‑loved buildings, landscapes and stories, ensuring they can be understood and enjoyed by everyone, now and for the future. As the government’s expert adviser on the historic environment, Historic England supports communities, shares knowledge and helps bring new life to the heritage we all treasure. Find out more at historicengland.org.uk or follow Historic England on social media including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and X.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund  Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. heritagefund.org.uk Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund