Historic Environment Record (HER)

The Chichester District Historic Environment Record (HER) is a publicly accessible resource used for the purposes of planning, conservation, research, education and general interest. It is part of a national network of similar systems managed by local authorities and records all known archaeological sites and finds in the Chichester District Council local authority area of West Sussex from the earliest evidence of human activity through to the 20th century.

It comprises a computerised database index of archaeological sites, monuments, landscapes, Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, industrial complexes and finds with supporting paper records, project reports, maps, aerial photographs, slides and a small library. The database is dynamically linked to a computer mapping system known as a GIS (Geographical Information System) allowing records in the database to be viewed against digital maps, both historic and modern, aerial photographs and other layers of information. The database and supporting collections are never static and new information is added constantly.

Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure the reliability of HER information it must be understood that the record is not definitive and that the accuracy of any particular piece of information should be verified from the original source.

Please read the HER Access and charging policies prior to contacting us for information. Please note that new charges come into force from 2 January 2013.

For enquiries which relate to areas outside the boundary of Chichester District please follow the relevant offsite link.

We are always pleased to receive new information. Please contact us if you have undertaken research on the archaeology, landscape or historic buildings in your area, or have discovered finds or sites, such as pottery or earthworks. 

Contact us 

For further information and advice email her@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone us on 01243 534800.