Image: Walmer Castle (English Heritage)
More than half of the UK public can name their favourite period of history, which is both inspired by and to the benefit of historic sites, says English Heritage
The World Wars are the most popular historical era to the UK public, a new study suggests.
Conducted by YouGov, the poll announced by English Heritage surveyed 2,056 adults across the UK.
Almost seven in 10 (68%) respondents could identify a favourite historical era, with the World Wars coming as the most popular (15%), followed in joint second/third by the Romans and Victorian eras (10%), with the Tudors coming in fourth place (9%).
More than a quarter of respondents marked 20th century periods as their favourite: Roaring Twenties (6%), World Wars (15%) and Cold War (5%).
The survey also suggests that these interests are primarily inspired by film, TV and theatre; more than half (52%) of respondents said their favourite historic era was the result of entertainment.
Across all age groups, school and education were also shown to have a lasting impact on historic interests (45%), most prominently among 18-24-year-olds (62%).
Historic sites both inspire and benefit from interest in passion for history
Visiting historical sites came in third overall (38%) for reasons to be interested in a particular historical era.
Matt Thompson, Curatorial Director, English Heritage, said: ‘While people particularly plumped for the Romans, and Victorians, the 20th century was the go-to period for over a quarter in our poll. And what motivates those choices for most people is a film, a school trip or a visit to an historic site, underlining just how important great storytelling is.
“As a charity which offers great backdrops for films and TV, free school trips for everyone and over 400 sites to experience history where it happened, what’s clear to see is how just one visit can spark a love that can last a lifetime!”
Alex von Tunzelmann, historian and screenwriter, added: “Many of those people who love British period dramas like Bridgerton, Peaky Blinders, The Crown or Call the Midwife will be inspired to visit some of the wonderful sites English Heritage have around the country, where they’ll be able to immerse themselves in the past and learn much more about what really happened.
“As a historian, I’m thrilled to see every generation rediscover and re-engage with history in its own way.”
Preferences for historic eras differ across the UK
English Heritage said specific eras seem to mean different things to the UK public.
For those who picked Tudor, World Wars, and Cold War as their favourite, the big events and politics held the most appeal (83%; 88%; 84%); though looking at Georgian and Regency, Victorian, and the Roaring Twenties, it is the fashion and style (66%; 54%; 84%).
In the North East – home to Hadrian’s Wall – the Roman era was the favourite (15%)
In the West Midlands Victorian (13%) was favourite, which was also second favourite in Northern Ireland (13%).
The East of England had a higher interest in the Tudors than most other regions in the UK (12%) Scotland had the highest response in favour of the World Wars (22%).
