Rights of Access
You have the right to see and enjoy the privately owned heritage items that have received a tax exemption. Owners undertake to provide such access in return for the tax exemption.
Technical Issue
A technical issue means that we are currently unable to update the information on the database of tax-exempt heritage assets. A few entries will, therefore, be out of date. We are working on this as a matter of urgency and apologise for any inconvenience caused - 25 September 2008
How can I arrange to see or visit the listed assets?
- Tax exempt buildings and collections within them
are normally open to the public on a set number of days each year. We
provide information on opening times and directions to the properties
listed on our website. (see land/buildings
and collections) It is not necessary to
make an appointment to view these buildings and collections. But, if
you are making a journey, it may be sensible to telephone beforehand
to check the opening times, or where admission numbers are limited,
to guarantee entry by pre-booking tickets.
In some cases, the individual items that make up a collection are listed individually under the works of art part of the website. If they are not, a list of items in the collection can be obtained from the contact point, or a list is shown where the items are on display. Unless access to a collection is by appointment, the collection entry on the website will show where and when the items can be seen..
- Tax exempt land can generally be visited all year
round, though access may be restricted at certain times for land management
purposes. Our website gives an O.S. grid reference for the main point
of entry and other relevant information.
Access to land is not unlimited and is in accordance with the terms of the undertaking negotiated with the owner, the terms of which are also available to you. See information on undertakings. Under these terms, access to special areas such as those for the conservation of wildlife or plants, may be greatly restricted or even prohibited.
Where access to view the conditionally exempt item is restricted or confined to access by appointment further information and, where appropriate, arrangements to view the item can be made through the contact point. (see land/buildings)
The contact may be the owner or another person, e.g. solicitor, nominated by the owner. The contact will not necessarily reside in the county where the conditionally exempt item may be seen.
- Tax exempt works of art may be on display in historic
houses open to the public on a set number of days, or in museums and
galleries and can be visited without the need to make an appointment.
As some items were exempted some years ago access to these is often
restricted to access by prior appointment.
Where access is restricted to access by appointment these items are generally of more limited interest or are similar to items already available in public collections. Such items are also available for loan to special exhibitions so that they can be seen, from time to time, alongside other fine works.
You will find details of the type of access available for each item listed on our website. (see works of art search)
A contact name and number is given for each item. The contact may be the owner or another person, e.g. solicitor, nominated by the owner. The contact will not necessarily reside in the county where the conditionally exempt item may be seen.
The entry for each individual work of art includes how and, if appropriate, when they are available to be seen. For security reasons, the precise location is not always shown. The contact will advise where the items can be seen and, if appropriate, arrange an appointment to see it. The link from individual entries will reveal other exempt items which, if they are in the same location, may be available for viewing at the time of your visit. You can ask to see individual items, a range of linked items or all of them.
Information about arranging to view conditionally exempt property.
On being contacted by you the contact point should arrange the appointment there and then. If this is not possible, then as soon as is reasonably practical. In particular, if you seek an appointment over the telephone the contact should not respond by seeking the same request in writing, But it is in order, once details of the appointment have been agreed, for the agent to ask you to write to confirm them.
The owner does not have to provide access at the location the item is normally kept. It can be shown within the county shown on our website or elsewhere if both parties agree. Owners do not have to be present. But the location chosen must be reasonable and when a viewer wants to see more than one item or a whole collection it should, if reasonably possible, be available to be seen on one visit.
When viewing is by appointment only, owners should normally allow viewing on the day of your choice or offer a choice of viewing between 10am and 4pm on any one of at least three weekdays and two Saturdays or Sundays within the following four weeks. Of course, a preferred alternative arrangement can be agreed with the owner.
If the appointment is at the owner's home, the owner is entitled to ask for identification to prove that the visitor is the person who made the appointment. The owner or his agent should not seek references.
Please bear in mind that whilst we regularly monitor the access details on our database, things can go wrong! A painting might have been loaned to a public collection or be with conservators and therefore unavailable. Or it might have been moved to another part of the country before our website is amended.
It is always advisable to check that the item(s) or building etc. is available at the time you want to visit. Please remember that the website is not necessarily incorrect if the entry for a work of art shows it to be in one county and the contact address in another. The county shown is where the item is available for viewing but the agent who arranges the visit may well live/work in another part of the country.
Can I be charged to view/visit something?
For exempt works of art displayed in museums, galleries and historic houses, the normal terms for these attractions apply. For exempt buildings, their grounds, and other works of art, a reasonable charge may be made. Some land is available to public all year round by public footpaths, etc. (therefore no charge is made).
Can I take photographs of Works of Art?
You can only take photographs if you are given the owner's permission to do so.
What if I am not allowed to see something listed on the website or I cannot get in touch with the contact?
See Difficulties gaining access
For more detailed guidance on Public Access
See IHT Manual Annex.
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