Man and woman working with scientific equipment.
Photograph from the Historic England Archive showing a science laboratory at the Gourock Ropeworks photographed in 1946. © Historic England Archive View image MF001494/25
Photograph from the Historic England Archive showing a science laboratory at the Gourock Ropeworks photographed in 1946. © Historic England Archive View image MF001494/25

Pioneering Women: Connections with Historical Places Mapped

Historic England research into women's history has included collaborations with The Royal Society and the British Library to celebrate and record the contributions of pioneering women.

The maps below link to entries in the National Heritage List for England where these fascinating histories can be discovered.

Many places on the List are well-known and even world-famous. But in a lot of cases, there's much that remains unknown. We invite you to share your knowledge and pictures of listed places, so we can record information, and even unlock the secrets of some places. Add your knowledge to the Missing Pieces Project.

Pioneering women interviewed for British Library Oral Histories project

Listen to in-depth recorded interviews with women who pursued careers in their respective fields long before it became the norm for women to do so. Discover their extraordinary lives and connections to listed buildings using the map below.

British Libraries Oral History collections cover a wide range of subject areas relating to British life, work, culture, and experience. They include both audio and video interviews, providing insight into aspects of UK personal memory, identity and experience.

More interviews with pioneering women

Explore the complete collection of British Library Oral Histories


Groundbreaking women of science

Historic England teamed up with The Royal Society in March 2017 to celebrate and record the contributions female scientists have made to the world. Royal Society Fellows put forward 28 remarkable individuals. Discover their hidden stories on the National Heritage List for England using the map below.

Get involved

Many places on the List are well-known and even world-famous. But in some cases there is much that remains unknown.

99% of people in England live within a mile of a listed building or place. Why not Enrich the List and tell us what makes your favourite listed building special, so we can record important facts, and even unlock the secrets of some places.