Archaeological Historic Environment Record

Collecting and providing data about the nature and location of archaeological sites in Suffolk.



The Historic Environment Record (HER) was previously known as the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), but has been renamed in line with government policy to reflect the broad range of data it now includes. It contains information about all the known archaeological sites and historic landscape features, including listed buildings, in Suffolk. The main inventory is held in a database and on maps, with various types of supplementary information, such as plans and photographs, held as background information.

The Historic Environment Record is used:

  • to identify sites at risk of damage by new development; and 
  • for research into the past, both by schools or university students and for local interest.


The Historic Environment Record is held at Shire Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, where you can make an appointment to see it.

Much of the information in the Historic Environment Record is also available online through the Heritage Gateway (this link opens a new page). The Heritage Gateway is managed by English Heritage to provide integrated access to local and national heritage information.