Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record

The Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record (CHER) is the most comprehensive source of information on archaeological sites and finds in the modern county of Cambridgeshire. It forms part of a network of Historic Environment Records and Sites and Monuments Records (SMR) across the United Kingdom.

Formerly known as the Cambridgeshire Sites and Monuments Record, the record is expanding to include information relating to all aspects of the historic environment. In particular, information about historic buildings and settlements, parks and gardens of historic interest, industrial and twentieth century remains, are being incorporated into the record.

There are over 17,000 records concerning archaeological monuments, chance finds, buildings and past fieldwork in Cambridgeshire.  These are held on a computerised database and mapping system, where they can be easily searched by date, location and type of remains.

Much of the information on the CHER is now available online via the Heritage Gateway.  

The Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record is a public record, and enquiries are welcome from anyone with an interest in Cambridgeshire’s past. 

Archaeology is a material consideration in the planning process and this status was confirmed with the adoption in 2010 of Planning Policy PPS5: Planning and the Historic Environment. PPS5 states that any development must consider the significance of the historic environment and the impact of development upon it. CCC Historic Environment Team undertakes the formal assessment of the impact of planning applications upon archaeology and will put forward proposals for necessary mitigation. The Historic Environment Record (HER) provides the information they need to carry out this planning function.

Historic Environment Record

Visit the Cambridgeshire HER online at Heritage Gateway: http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway

National Monuments Record: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5): http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pps5

If you have any problems accessing these records from our links please do let us know.