Heritage masterplanning consultancy
A vision for the future of your site — grounded in what’s actually deliverable
Part of our wider heritage consultancy services, a heritage masterplan is different from a business plan. It’s the long-term spatial and strategic blueprint that shapes how a site grows over 5 to 15 years: where new visitor facilities are located, how visitor footfall, commercial and conservation priorities are balanced, and how each phase of development informs the next phase.
Planning Solutions Consulting has developed heritage masterplans and visitor experience plans for castles, industrial heritage sites, and historic estates across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, always working within the physical constraints of the site, the realities of the market, and the financial parameters our clients operate within.
We have carried out feasibility studies and delivered heritage visitor experience masterplans and business plans at heritage sites across the UK, including Caldicot Castle, Ditherington Flax Mill, Marble Arch, Urquhart Castle, Blarney Castle and Gardens and Caerphilly Castle.
How we build a heritage masterplan and visitor experience plan
1. Site-wide heritage audit
We start on the ground, reviewing the historic fabric, current visitor flows, and how the site is currently used, managed, and maintained.
2. Audience and market analysis
We explore who visits now, who could visit in future, and how the site compares to others in the sector through benchmarking, drivetime catchment and market analysis.
3. Regional, strategic and planning context
We look beyond the site boundary, reviewing local development plans, tourism strategies, and any regional investment that could shape or support the project. This helps to build the strategic case for investment
4. Engagement and primary research
We carry out a programme of staff and wider stakeholder engagement, helping to build up a bank of goodwill to support future delivery. We often carry out a module of primary research among visitors to inform the future masterplan
5. Options appraisal
We test a range of development options against conservation constraints, financial viability, and market demand, working alongside conservation architects, landscape architects and chartered surveyors.
6. The masterplan
We bring this together into a phased, deliverable masterplan, one that sets out priorities, sequencing, and the investment case for each stage.
7. Financial sustainability testing
Every masterplan is stress-tested against realistic income and cost assumptions, so what we recommend can actually be funded and operated over the long-term.
8. Funding application support
Where a masterplan is designed to underpin a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund or other grant bodies, we help build the supporting heritage masterplan business plan.
Masterplans which are based on direct operational experience
Our sister company, Planning Solutions Limited, operates heritage and other attractions including Kent Life Heritage Farm, CONKERS Discovery Centre, and, from 2010 to 2022, the National Brewery Centre (formerly the Bass Museum). That means every masterplan we design is shaped by people who have actually run the day-to-day reality of visitor sites, not just studied one.
Heritage visitor experience masterplanning and other projects
Buckinghamshire County Council: We prepared a visitor experience masterplan to improve the visitor experience and the long-term business prospects of Langley Park, where Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown designed part of the landscape
Cadw: Prepared a 10 year commercial masterplan for the Grade I listed Caerphilly Castle, which secured £10m in funding
Historic Environment Scotland: Prepared a Monument and Community Support Strategy for Urquhart Castle with a focus on developing the visitor experience, the impact of visitors on the heritage asset, the local community and the quality of the visitor experience
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council: Prepared a heritage masterplan and supporting business case to transform the visitor offer at Cefn Coed Colliery Museum and create a gateway visitor centre hub to the Valleys Regional Park
Blarney Castle and Gardens: Carried out modules of primary research among coach operators and visitors and advised on opportunities to enhance the visitor experience at Blarney Castle and Gardens.
Enfield Council: At Forty Hall, a Grade I listed house, prepared a visitor experience masterplan and a business resilience plan.
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council: Prepared a site-wide masterplan and supporting financial analysis for Gnoll Estate Country Park, a Grade II* historic park and garden. Latterly, worked with the Council team on a successful funding application to the Levelling Up Fund – securing over £12m in development funding.
Client testimonial
“Planning Solutions Consulting carried out master planning exercise for the proposed future development of Cefn Coed Colliery, a heritage attraction located in the Dulais Valley, South Wales. From start to finish we were impressed with the knowledge, experience and professionalism of the team. Were equally impressed with the final masterplan which was well considered and all options and recommendations were clearly justified. We would be keen to work with the team again on future projects.”Karleigh Davies, Destination Management and Marketing Manager, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
How can we help?
Every heritage site reaches a point where it needs a clear, realistic view of where it’s heading, not just next year, but over the next decade. Whether you’re starting to think about a major capital project, preparing the ground for a National Lotterry Heritage Fund bid, or simply want a fresh, experienced pair of eyes on your site’s potential, we’d welcome an initial conversation. There’s no obligation, and it often helps just to talk through where you are before committing to a full visitor experience masterplanning brief.
Get in touch Richard Linington, Heritage Consultancy Lead and Director 07866 742628 richard@pslplan.co.uk