COVID lockdowns revealed why heritage site visits matter for wellbeing
In short: Researchers examining how England's 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns affected heritage site visits found that losing access made people newly aware of why they valued these places. Once sites reopened, regaining access was associated with feelings of personal agency and wellbeing, including capability, social connection, security, and trust.
Heritage sites appeared to offer both hedonic (pleasurable) and eudaimonic (psychologically fulfilling) experiences, though the researchers note that heritage value is not simply reducible to wellbeing effects. Being aware of how visits generate these effects could help make the most of future visits.
The analysis is based on public reflections gathered around the 2020 pandemic reopening of heritage sites in England, so it captures a specific, unusual moment rather than normal visiting patterns.
Why it matters: Losing access to heritage sites during lockdown made people more aware of how much these places contribute to wellbeing.
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