Local Distinctiveness & Archaeology

What is Local Distinctiveness?

Each locality has something that makes it 'special'. This might include a distinctive landscape; historical, archaeological, architectural or ecological feature. Together they help define what makes Worcestershire itself such an attractive county.
Worcestershire County Council is seeking to encourage communities to explore their locality and to promote those elements of 'local distinctiveness'. It is hoped that this will enhance local pride and a greater awareness of the natural and historic environment.

	View from the Iron Age hillfort on Bredon Hill across the Vale of Evesham. Few parts of the present landscape have been untouched by human interference.
	Medieval fishponds (as at Rock) are a characteristic feature of the Worcestershire landscape. They were an important economic resource at the time.
	Churches have been at the centre of village landscapes for over 1,000 years. They grow and contract in scale along with their community and therefore the history of the church building can be very much the history of the community that they serve.
	The landscape is constantly evolving. Another characteristic of Worcestershire are the surviving areas of 'ridge and furrow'. These represent medieval arable fields that have been abandoned to pasture. The ridge and furrow at the foot of Crookbarrow, Worcester, also overly an abandoned 13th century village.

The Role of the Historic Environment and Archaeology Service

The County Historic environment and Archaeology Service plays a key role in defining 'local distinctiveness'. There are over 15,000 known archaeological sites in the county and many more remain to be discovered. Every parish in the county has its archaeological sites. These may be buried, survive as earthworks or buildings, or comprise part of the landscape itself. The Service is responsible for recording, protecting, interpreting and promoting that heritage.  In  doing so it works closely with local amateur groups to encourage archaeology at a community level.

• It is responsible for the principal heritage database in the county - the Historic Environment Record
• It is responsible for providing advice on the protection and management of archaeological sites and historic buildings;
• It contains a wealth of expertise about the archaeology of the county;
• It provides a wide range of educational activities;
• It works in partnership with local community and history/archaeology groups in the county.

Evidence of past landscapes can be revealed by archaeology. Excavation of an Iron Age and Roman farmstead at Kemerton, overlooked by the hillfort on Bredon Hill.


Features in the landscape may take on new meanings for each generation. The Crookbarrow on the edge of Worcester (beside the M5) was probably built as a Neolithic ceremonial monument, but became a boundary marker in the Saxon period. It even became the site of an anti-aircraft gun in WWII

How we can help

• If your community wishes to know more about the history of the area it should contact the Historic Environment Record. This collates historical and archaeological information on a parish by parish basis. It will also provide an introduction to other sources held in the County Record Office, local museums and libraries;
• We can provide specialist input for projects;
• We can provide advice on sources of funding for projects.

What Can You Do?

• Consult the Historic Environment Record (HER) to ensure that any archaeological information is up-to-date and accurate.
• Ensure any new information that a project collects is passed back to the HER. This may be the only way in which a feature or site is afforded any protection and allows future researchers to gain an accurate picture of development in the county.
• In planning a project you should consider where will be the permanent home of the material gathered. The County Record Office and County Museum Service, as well as the Archaeological Service, will be able to offer guidance.

If your community is considering the development of a project which has an archaeological / heritage connection please contact the County Archaeology Officer.

Heritage Contacts for Local Distinctiveness

County Historic Environment and Archaeology Service Tel: 01905 855494 (Hisdtoric Environment Record)

County Records Office Tel: 01905 766350

County Museums Service Tel: 01299 250416

Worcester Historic Environment and Archaeology Service
Woodbury Hall, University College Worcester
Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ

Tel 01905 855494 (Historic Environment Record) or Historic Environment Record Manager