North Yorkshire has a rich historical heritage, which includes well known monuments like Fountains Abbey and Middleham Castle, and the buried remains of Roman towns such as Aldborough. There is also a rich and diverse natural heritage including many Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, with habitats ranging from ancient woodlands to flower-rich grassland.

The historic environment, the physical remains of the human past, provides us with attractive towns, villages and countryside in which to live and work, enhances our quality of life, provides an educational and tourism resource and gives us a sense of place and identity.

The natural environment and biodiversity, the variety of living things that exist, are fundamental to the existence of life on Earth. Biodiversity provides oxygen, food, materials and medicines for people, yet the number of species and habitats in the country are declining at an alarming rate.

The conservation of this heritage both for the present and for future generations is vital.

As part of North Yorkshire County Council's waste and countryside services, the historic  and natural environment teams help to deliver the Council's key objective "to maintain and enhance our environment and heritage".

They achieve this through the following:

• The provision of advice and guidance on the historic and natural environment;
• The maintenance and management of heritage information and the provision of access to it;
• Working with partners to secure the long term management of, and understanding of, historic and natural assets in North Yorkshire;
• Providing management assistance where possible with the support of countryside volunteers;
• Promoting the importance of the natural and historic environment.

Through the local collections of North Yorkshire libraries, students and researchers at all levels and of all ages can investigate the background and significance of local and regional history.  

North Yorkshire's County Records Office collects and preserve millions of documents relating to the county's history. The public can access these documents for personal, legal, administrative and historical purposes.

Discover the heritage and museums of North Yorkshire through the Welcome to Yorkshire website.

Online mapping

You can find a range of information about the services we provide by using our online mapping.

Useful downloads Historic environment services [390kb] [pdf] A leaflet explaining the work and services provided by the historic environment team. Natural environment services [734kb] [pdf] A leaflet explaining the work and services provided by the natural environment team.   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window and NYCC is not responsible for the content of external websites. English Heritage English Heritage exists to protect and promote England's spectacular historic environment and ensure that its past is researched and understood. Environment Agency Looking after your environment and make it a better place - for you, and for future generations. Forestry Commission The government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands. Natural England Natural England is the government department responsible for the protection and improvement of England's natural environment and encourages people to enjoy and get involved in their surroundings. North Yorkshire County Records Office North Yorkshire’s County Record Office collects and preserve millions of documents relating to the county's history. The public can access these documents for personal, legal, administrative and historical purposes. North Yorkshire Libraries Through the local collections of North Yorkshire libraries, students and researchers at all levels and of all ages can investigate the background and significance of local and regional history. Welcome to North Yorkshire Discover the heritage and museums of North Yorkshire through the Welcome to Yorkshire website: Contacts Historic environment team archaeology@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 08458 72 73 74 Full details for Historic environment team Natural environment team countryside@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 08458 72 73 74 Full details for Natural environment team