The care and repair of old buildings
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The SPAB Approach -
Support the SPABBecome a member to support our positive, practical approach to building conservation
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We advise, we educate, we campaign
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
We believe old buildings have a future. From cottages to castles and from churches to cathedrals we are here to help buildings and the people who care for them. Based on years of experience and research we understand how old buildings work.
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News
For World Heritage Day we’re exploring the international history of our Georgian HQ in Spitalfields, London – an area with a rich and complex past, home to successive groups of immigrants.
In honour of April Fools’ Day earlier this month, we’ve looked through the SPAB archive to see which architectural follies the Society has been involved with.
We concluded our spring lecture series on John Ruskin with a discussion about his enduring influence on Venice and were inspired to further explore the SPAB's early campaigning work in the city.
Join our mailing list
Become a member
Join today to support our positive, practical approach to building conservation. As a member you become part of a network of like-minded people who care for historic buildings. Other benefits include The SPAB Magazine, access to the Property List and the opportunity to join your local Regional Group.
Scholarship & Fellowship
Education programmes for architects, surveyors, engineers and craftspeople to further their 'hands-on' understanding of historic building conservation.
Shop
Visit our online shop to browse our range of helpful books and guides to caring for old buildings. We also offer a selection of gifts.
Upcoming Events
Event
24/04/2019
A guided tour of Penshurst, one of the most complete surviving examples of 14th century architecture in England .
Event
27/04/2019
Beachamwell Hall, 1906 Country House with 18C stables undergoing repair.
Event
11/05/2019
A visit to 'the most important site for the history of explosives in Europe'
Campaigns
Campaign
The SPAB runs national campaigns raising awareness about important issues surrounding the protection of old buildings.
Your campaign
If you’re worried about a deteriorating building in your local area, want to contest a planning application, build your own local campaign or set up a building preservation trust then the The SPAB Campaign Toolkit can offer guidance.
Mills
Technical advice
All old buildings need regular care and maintenance in order to prevent serious disrepair. Windmills and watermills are by their nature exposed to wear from wind and water in addition to facing problems common to historic buildings.
The SPAB Mills Section has put together a suite of resources and guidance tailored to those caring for old windmills and watermills.
Visit a mill
Become a Mills Section member
The SPAB’s Mills Section is the only Society concerned solely with protecting and promoting traditional windmills and watermills in the UK. The Section provides advice and training to mill owners and heritage professionals, and campaigns for the protection of milling heritage. Join the Section now to support its work and receive a range of membership benefits.