The Sacred Lands Charter aims to reawaken society to the sacred value of the UK’s ancient sacred landscapes, to preserve them beyond mere heritage landmarks. By recognising their spiritual significance and embracing a global shift towards the rights of sacred natural sites, we propose protections and collaborative guardianship to ensure these landscapes are respected and preserved for future generations.

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RESPECT

Sacred landscapes and sites should be recognised and respected with an official and legal designation as ‘Sacred’.

CARE

Sacred landscapes should be cared for, maintained, and protected from harm, damage, deterioration and development.

SHARE

Sacred landscapes should be accessible to those looking to engage with them for spiritual and religious purposes.

The United Kingdom is rich with sites and landscapes that have been revered as sacred for thousands of years, deeply woven into the multilayered history of this country. Despite this, contemporary society has largely lost touch with the sacred, and many sacred lands are regarded merely as property or acknowledged for their heritage, economic, or ecological significance, neglecting their profound spiritual importance.

These sites are not just relics of the past; they are places of deep meaning and significance to people today, and must be preserved for future generations, so they can continue to intertwine with the evolving stories of us and our landscapes. 

There is a growing movement worldwide that is shifting from human-centred perspectives, recognising the inherent value and rights of sacred natural sites. We believe this shift in perspective is essential in the United Kingdom as well, to acknowledge and protect these sacred landscapes for future generations of all beings.

The charter aims to outline the sacred value of these sites and the rights and protections that should be in place for them. It will also propose a model of collaborative guardianship, ensuring that these sacred landscapes are preserved and respected for the benefit of all and for the future generations of all beings.

What is a sacred landscape or site?

Sacred landscapes encompass a rich diversity of places that hold profound spiritual and cultural significance. Iconic stone circles like Stonehenge or Avebury might first come to mind, but sacred landscapes also include pilgrimage routes, holy wells, burial mounds, enspirited natural features such as lakes, hills, or groves, and many other sites revered for their sacredness. These landscapes have been places of worship, reflection, and connection for countless generations, serving as powerful sources of inspiration and meaning.

While some of these landscapes benefit from protections due to their heritage or touristic value, many remain unprotected or unrecognised for their spiritual significance. Through this campaign, we aim to achieve acknowledgement and protection for the full diversity of sacred landscapes, ensuring their spiritual, cultural, and ecological importance is recognised and safeguarded.

For the purposes of the Sacred Lands Charter, by 'sacred lands,' we refer to sites and landscapes that:

  • Have been considered spiritually significant by communities,

  • Were built for a spiritual or religious purpose,

  • Have served this purpose over a prolonged period,

  • Or are considered sacred by a community today.

By broadening the recognition of sacred landscapes to include this diversity, we hope to ensure they are respected and protected for generations to come.

 

What we want from a Sacred Lands Charter

1. Sacred landscapes and sites should be recognised and respected with an official designation as ‘Sacred’

  • This should identify them as having sacred value and significance, and have parity of esteem with similar designations of heritage value or scientific value.
  • These sacred sites and landscapes that are considered to be enspirited should be recognised as a legal entity, having juristic personhood.
  • The relationship between individual monuments and their wider landscape should be acknowledged, to protect connections between sites and the view of or view from them.
  • These lands should be managed respectfully to incorporate the multiple and deep meanings that each site and landscape holds for many people.

2. Sacred landscapes should be cared for, maintained, and protected from harm, damage, deterioration and development

  • Sacred landscapes should be cared for by land managers or the local community in the form of guardianship groups (see Friends of Groups, below).
  • Clear guidelines should be set out regarding appropriate and respectful actions on these landscapes, with respect to leave no trace, litter, fires, offerings, etc.
  • Sacred landscapes should be allowed to be restored where past land use has led to their damage, deterioration, or destruction.
  • No activity or development should be allowed on or within sacred landscapes that permanently alters the landscape.
  • The preservation efforts must reflect respect for the cultural heritage and spiritual values embedded in these landscapes by their original custodians.

3. Sacred landscapes should be accessible to those looking to engage with them for spiritual and religious purposes

  • Access should be allowed to those communities looking to engage with these sites and landscapes, always with due consideration for the care and protection of the landscape and the wishes of site managers or landowners.
  • Access should be inclusive of all, irrespective of gender, race, ethnic origin, sexuality, disability, age, religious or spiritual or political belief, or marital status.
  • Activities at these sites should not impede or prevent others from fair use, access, and connection with the landscapes.
  • These sacred sites and landscapes should be recognised as part of our collective heritage, with a sense of communal ownership, balancing the rights of landowners and land managers with those who seek to engage with these sacred landscapes.
  • These sites must be shared respectfully with all forms of life, ensuring the protection of flora, fauna, and their habitats.

Guardianship of Sacred Landscapes (“Friends of” Groups)

Currently guardianship of sacred sites and landscapes falls, in some cases to heritage or environmental charities, private owners, and in rare cases includes community groups. This often leaves their care to be under-resourced, splintered or non-existent.

This charter advocates that guardianship of sacred landscapes should be done via a collaborative approach, including a community of “Friends” who regard it as sacred and who stand to uphold the charter.

  • 'Friends' will positively collaborate with land managers, other groups, organisations and/or individuals who have access to the sacred site including landowners and will positively engage with all stakeholders as part of an assembly of owners, users and facilitators.
  • 'Friends' groups will be proactive, public facing, accountable, and will visit on a regular basis, with the land manager's permission to maintain the integrity of the site and to take appropriate action when and where it is required. This includes removal of litter, intrusive materials, non-biodegradable offerings, etc. No activity that alters the landscape of the site is to be undertaken.
  • 'Friends' groups will engage in education about and prevention of wildlife disturbance, removal of and education about litter and intrusive materials, education and prevention of damage to the site and the like.
  • These activities are not exhaustive and, any action that is respectful of the site, the land manager's, other visitors and is legal, is within the intent of this charter.

Resources will be compiled to support ‘Friends’ groups.

Get Involved

We invite everyone who is passionate about protecting and caring for our sacred landscapes to get involved with us. Your feedback and input are invaluable. Reach out to us using the button below to share your thoughts, or get involved, or donate to support this initiative.

Principles in the Charter

The Charter’s principles are based on the Respect-Care-Share approach espoused in Joe Copper Jack’s Land-People-Relationship model. It is a holistic and collaborative approach that emphasises the integration of cultural values, community involvement, and sustainable practices in managing landscapes,  balancing the needs of the environment with the needs of the people who live in and use the landscape.