Institutional Landscapes

This is one of four complementary selection guides which briefly describe the types of designed landscape included on The Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, and set out selection criteria for designation.

This guide covers institutional and to some extent commercial landscapes, including buildings associated with health and welfare, places of education, military and industrial complexes, factories and offices, and sites associated with public services such as pumping stations.

These landscapes are often relatively short-lived, like some of the organisations with which they are associated. Technological and medical advances, government policies and social change can all put institutional landscapes under pressure, as can demands to release land for development.

The other three guides treat Rural and Urban designed landscapes, and Landscapes of Remembrance. The listing of buildings in designed landscapes is considered in the Garden and Park Structures listing selection guide, and the scheduling of archaeological garden remains, principally but not exclusively earthwork remains, is dealt with in the Gardens scheduling selection guide.