Valuing Seaside Heritage Symposium

The Valuing Seaside Heritage Symposium is taking place in Brighton on 26 June 2026. This full-day event is a collaboration between the Seaside Heritage Network, Historic Buildings & Places, and the Heritage Network. It is designed for a professional and academic audience, specifically bringing together heritage practitioners, policymakers, academics, and those with a stake in coastal development to discuss the role of our seaside heritage in modern regeneration, tourism, identity, and long-term sustainability.

The programme is structured to offer a mix of evidence-based research and intersectoral debate. The day begins with a keynote address from The Lord Bassam of Brighton. Following this, the sessions will cover a broad range of topics, including the economic and tourism value of coastal heritage, the current funding landscape, and an analysis of coastal heritage within international and World Heritage contexts. A specific panel discussion titled 'Adding Value' will anchor the afternoon, alongside evidence sessions that focus on practical projects in Saltdean, Ramsgate, Cleethorpes, and Weston-super-Mare. These sessions are intended to provide concrete examples of how heritage sites are being managed and repurposed.

Beyond the formal presentations, the symposium includes dedicated time for networking. The organisers have also arranged social activities to complement the academic programme, including an optional swim at the Saltdean Lido and a 'Chips and Chat Networking' session on the beach, which is supported by Historic England and sponsored by the Heritage Network. These elements are meant to facilitate informal discussion among attendees in a coastal setting.

Tickets for the symposium are priced at £38. This covers the full day of programming, including the keynote, panel discussions, evidence sessions, and the social networking opportunities. If you are involved in the heritage sector or have a professional interest in how coastal towns are evolving, this event provides a focused environment to engage with these specific issues.