Archaeological Advice and Guidance

We offer archaeological planning advice for applications made within Exmoor National Park and on other matters such as Natural England's Environmental Stewardship Scheme. The advice is based on the information held on the Historic Environment Record and is in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

If you are considering undertaking works or entering an agreement and wish to discuss the impact of the proposals on the archaeological potential of a site, please contact her@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk. Further information on historic landscapes can be found on our landscape pages and there is also separate information available on hedgerows. For more general planning guidance, please visit the section of our website hosted by our planning team.

Heritage Designations

Information on Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Parks and Gardens and Protected Wreck Sites is held by Historic England on the National Heritage List for England. Their website pages on Listing and Designation also provides information on criteria for designation and how designation affects a heritage asset you own.

Exmoor National Park Authority has designated a total of 16 Conservation Areas, 12 of which affect settlements and 4 farmsteads. Please visit our dedicated conservation area webpages within the planning section to learn more about them.

Principal Archaeological Landscapes (PAL) are areas designated by Exmoor National Park Authority for their exceptional archaeological and historic quality and importance. You can view the currently designated PAL areas through the mapping on our Historic Environment Record website.