Saving Britain's Past
Dr Peter Robinson
- Region:
- Anywhere
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £150 plus travel expenses at 50p/mile for a journey of more than 10 miles.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 11th July 2026
- Tagged:
- National Trust | English Heritage | Country Houses | Ruins
Every year millions of people visit National Trust properties, English Heritage sites and historic landscapes without giving much thought to how these places survived. Yet many castles, country houses, gardens and archaeological sites came remarkably close to destruction.
This engaging talk tells the story of Britain's heritage movement, exploring the visionaries, campaigners and organisations that fought to preserve the nation's history for future generations.
Beginning with nineteenth-century concerns about industrialisation and urban expansion, we follow the birth of the National Trust, the growth of state protection for ancient monuments, and the eventual creation of English Heritage. Along the way we discover dramatic rescue campaigns, controversial restoration projects and changing attitudes towards what Britain chooses to preserve.
Drawing upon Peter's own experience working for the National Trust and leading heritage organisations, this talk combines personal insight with historical research to reveal the challenges behind conserving some of Britain's most treasured places.
An entertaining and thought-provoking journey through one of Britain's greatest conservation success stories.
Views: 10 | Enquiries: 0About Dr Peter Robinson
Peter is Head of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University. Peter’s expertise covers visitor attractions, transport operations, heritage, visitor experience, tourism landscapes, urban and rural regeneration and placemaking, business development and Cold War tourism. In 2021 Peter was Awarded the Victor Middleton Prize for Education and Scholarship by the Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE).
He is also an award-winning author and has published both academic books and peer-reviewed journals, as well as books covering a range of transport, tourism and landscape histories. He is also a features writer for a number of publications and has appeared on several television and radio programmes discussing the travel and tourism industry. Peter has been involved with policy work with DCMS, the Department for Education, the Department for Transport and VisitBritain. Peter owns a consultancy business that delivers work for organisations across multiple industry sectors worldwide. He has owned businesses in photography, travel, ICT, waste management, and publishing, and owns a toy and collectables retailer - Midland Models.
Peter is a Fellow of the Tourism Management Institute and the Yorkshire and Humber representative, a Fellow of the Tourism Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is Co-Chair of The Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE), a Director of The Institute of Travel and Tourism and he represents ATHE on the Tourism Society Board. He is Chair of the Tourism Consultants Network and is also part of the ABTA Working Group on skills and qualifications. Peter is regularly invited to speak at conferences about education policy, placemaking and heritage management. He is Chair and Founding Director of The Cold War network, Chair of The Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust and a Trustee for the 131st Derby Scouts.
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