The Landscape Group can offer a diverse range of expertise in landscape history, as well as specialist skills such as non-invasive field survey techniques and the use of GIS.
This expertise is drawn from respected academics based in the School of History at the University of East Anglia.
Subscribe for our Landscape Group newsletter – register below.
The Landscape Group can offer a wide range of services which are tailored to meet our clients individual requirements, specifically targeting investigation into the history and archaeology of the landscape including:
A scoping study could be used as a prelimary for further work or for supporting early stage Heritage Lottery Fund bids or Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) applications.
Scoping study would include:
A standard study provides a combination of original research and detailed survey work which could be used for interpretation plans, management plans, HLS applications and funding bids.
Standard study could include:
A detailed study delivers a high level of original research and fieldwork which can be used to support publications, high level interpretation, management and restoration plans and funding bids.
Standard study could include:
Research Standard research package includes:
Research & Court Appearance
The Landscape Group has worked with a diverse range of clients, including County Councils, garden trusts, conservation programmes, landed estates, private clients and the National Trust.
In 2009 Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils commissioned research into the origins and significance of the ‘pine rows’, the distinctive lines of Scots pines that border the fields in Breckland in south west Norfolk.
These were mapped, dated, and their significance assessed: this information can now be used to support management and conservation decisions. In 2010 Norfolk County Council asked us to research the history of fruit-growing in the county.
The resulting report is being used to inform conservation policy on these important features of our landscape. Other clients have included Leicester City Council, the Broads Authority and English Heritage.
Norfolk Gardens Trust asked us to compile a gazetteer of all the culturally and historically significant gardens in the county to help its conservation work, and also to produce a published description of some 400 key sites, currently in press, which could be used to raise public awareness of this vital part of our landscape heritage.
Members of the Landscape Group also act as advisers and consultants to the Hertfordshire Gardens Trust on an ongoing basis, undertaking research into the history and development of parks and gardens in the county in order to inform management, conservation and planning decisions.
Members of the group have been commissioned on numerous occasions to research the history of landed estates, including both the designed ‘core’ of mansion, gardens and grounds, and the wider estate landscape.
Clients include the Houghton and Ditchingham estates in Norfolk, the Shrubland estate in Suffolk, and Chatsworth in Derbyshire. We have just completed a detailed report on the Blickling estate (Norfolk) for the National Trust.
Our research has been used to inform land management, to enhance displays and interpretation, and in the drawing up of Heritage Tax Exemption and Higher Level Stewardship plans. We have also written guide books for specific country houses.
We have undertaken documentary research and archaeological survey, and supplied expert witness statements, in legal cases relating to boundary disputes and rights of way issues throughout England.
We have built up a very considerable body of experience in these fields.
Tom Williamson is Professor of Landscape History at the University of East Anglia and has written widely on agricultural history, landscape archaeology, and the history of parks and gardens.
He has extensive experience not only of archaeological and documentary research, but also of applying historical information in the conservation, restoration and interpretation of historic landscapes.
He has worked on numerous occasions on legal cases, providing reports in rights of way and boundary disputes, and appearing in court as an expert witness.
Robert Liddiard is Senior Lecturer in Landscape History at the University of East Anglia. His research interests range from the medieval to the modern periods, with a particular emphasis on fortifications and high status buildings.
He has published widely in a number of areas, including castles and estates, deer parks, field systems and twentieth-century military landscapes.
In the past he has worked with a range of organisations and interest groups, including English Heritage, County Councils and Estate Owners. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Sarah Spooner is Lecturer in Landscape History and Engagement at the University of East Anglia and has researched and published work on the development of historic parks and gardens.
Her research interests also include country house architecture and the development of both rural and urban landscapes in the post medieval period.
She has worked on research, training and interpretation projects with a number of partner organisations, including Norfolk County Council, the National Trust and Norwich HEART.
Jon Gregory is Lecturer in Landscape History and Engagement at the University of East Anglia.
His research interests include agricultural landscapes and the long term development of heathlands and moorlands.
He has considerable experience of working with GIS and producing digital maps and plans. Before joining the Landscape Group he worked for the National Trust in the East of England region where he was involved in researching, planning and designing a wide range of interpretation projects.
Dr Gerry Barnes MBE is an Honorary Research Fellow and Associate Tutor in School of History at the University of East Anglia. He has extensive experience of environment issues and has research interests and published work particularly on woodlands, wood pasture, orchards, trees and hedges.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and a Member of the Society of Biologists.
He currently chairs the Forestry Commission Regional Advisory Committee and the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership. He received his MBE for services to Forestry and the Community.
The Landscape Group
c/o School of History
University of East Anglia
Norwich
NR4 7TJ
info at landscape-group dot co dot uk
+44(0)1603 597170