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1.1 This class will include properties occupied by charitable trusts, by the UK charity for the preservation of historic properties, the English heritage charity, the Welsh Governments historic environment service, and other individuals and organisations.

1.2 Hereditaments will be buildings of historic interest/importance (including those set in a related historical setting) where the building/setting is the main attraction together with its historical context. Preservation and conservation are the prime motive for occupation, and the majority of any artefacts or collections on display will be related to or contemporary to the host building and/or its historical setting.

1.3 Properties in this class are many and varied, ranging from ancient monuments with unrestricted access (humps & bumps) to stately homes. They may have associated facilities such as an admission kiosk, cafe, shop, exhibition areas or more extensive visitor centres.

1.4 This class includes property with industrial, religious, military, architectural, social, or local historical significance.

1.5 This section applies to the following types of property:

• premises which comprise a stately home where, despite that description, the principal use is non-domestic. There may be living accommodation for a caretaker, or similar, within the hereditament (in which case it will be a composite hereditament) but the principal use will remain non-domestic
  
• premises where the principal use is as a residence but where the house is also open to the public, may include use for functions (including weddings) or even offer overnight accommodation
  
• properties associated with famous personages maintained solely for public viewing. There may be displays of artefacts that are contemporary with that occupation and which serve to illustrate and celebrate the life and achievements of that person. There is usually an admission charge
  

• sites of industrial/social/military/religious/historical significance. Generally, the prime motive for occupation of these sites is the preservation and conservation of the buildings in their original setting or landscape. They are varied in character and examples include former industrial complexes such as tin mines with or without working machinery, original farm complexes with reconstructions of farming life, restored or preserved military installations such as forts. Any collections of artefacts on display will be related to the site and its context

• other historic buildings including the remains of priories, abbeys, towers, forts etc
  
• small historic buildings or other structures such as tithe barns and dovecots
  
• windmills and watermills
  
• sites of ancient ruins and archaeological landscapes. These are many and varied including ancient hill forts, abandoned medieval villages, standing stones, Roman remains, castles etc. Some may be free with unrestricted public access; others may charge for entry. Facilities range from an admission kiosk to extensive visitor facilities showcasing the history of the site and modelled reconstructions. There may also be displays of artefacts found at the site. And visitor facilities such as cafes and shops
  
• gardens open to the public where they are of national significance or are occupied by the major UK charity for the preservation of historic properties, the English heritage charity and the Welsh Governments historic environment service
  
• royal palaces open to the public

1.6 Historic properties occupied as museums

1.7 Some, historic properties are occupied as museums where the items on display are not solely intended to show the property and may have no connection with the property. Where the host building, although of a similar historic character is primarily serving to house a collection of

artefacts that are not related to the host building or its setting then the property should be valued by reference to Rating Manual section 5a: museums and art galleries.

1.8 Historic properties that are leisure attractions

1.9 Where the primary purpose of occupation is not for the preservation of the historic building or garden or setting, but it is as a leisure attraction, valuation should be by reference to Rating Manual section 5a: Leisure attractions. This alternative mode or category of occupation may be indicated by a charge for entry. These sites will normally be operated with a view to making a profit.