Durham HER

The Durham Historic Environment Record (HER) is managed by Durham County Council and covers the areas of County Durham and Darlington Borough Councils. It consists of a database linked to digital mapping, with the digital records being summaries of the more detailed information held in the HER hard copy collections. These collections include reports, letters, journals, books, guides and photographs, many of which are unique and only accessible via a HER visit. The digital HER consists of: over 2000 archaeological events records, detailing excavations, geophysical surveys and other activities; nearly 15000 records detailing sites, historic buildings, find spots and other heritage features; over 12000 source records detailing where more information can be found, from photographs to maps, reports to book. The HER covers periods from the earliest flint tools to modern architecture, and all types of site from ephemeral cropmarks, through to substantial castles. The HER is used to inform planning decisions and land management by forestry or farmers, and also by researchers. The HER is regularly enhanced and updated with new sites, or more information about already known sites.