Elliot Simmonds to present at Collections Inside & Out Symposium
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Heritage: Insights from Sector-Wide Research”, will draw on M·E·L Research’s studyLand management in the museum and heritage sector which was conducted on behalf of AIM, along with Welsh Government, Arts Council England and NMDC. The research was designed to address a gap in sector-wide evidence about the opportunities and challenges associated with land and outdoor spaces, looking at their role in organisational business models, audience and community engagement, and climate resilience and adaptation.
The study combined a literature and policy review with 17 in-depth interviews, a survey of 52 museums and heritage organisations, an online sector community and six site visits across the UK. This enabled the research team to explore not only what organisations are doing with their outdoor spaces, but also how approaches are developed in practice and what helps or prevents organisations from making the most of their land.
One of the clearest themes from the research was the importance of thinking about indoor and outdoor spaces together. Organisations developing more strategic approaches described wanting to create a natural flow between buildings, collections and landscapes, rather than being simply “a museum with a garden”. The research also highlights the potential for outdoor spaces to support biodiversity, wellbeing, learning, community engagement and new forms of interpretation.
Elliot said:
“Our research showed that there is huge potential in thinking about heritage sites as complete places rather than separating what happens inside from what happens outside. Gardens, landscapes and outdoor spaces can contribute to interpretation, visitor experience, environmental sustainability and community engagement, but making that happen requires long-term thinking, collaboration and a willingness to experiment. I’m really looking forward to sharing some of those findings at Chirk and discussing what they mean for the sector.”
The research also identified some important challenges. Fewer than half of survey respondents were incorporating outdoor space into wider strategic planning, while organisations frequently reported barriers around resources, specialist knowledge and opportunities to learn from others. At the same time, the study found that organisations making progress tended to share three characteristics: long-term leadership and vision, collaboration beyond their own organisation, and a willingness to test and adapt new approaches.
For M·E·L Research, the symposium is an opportunity to contribute evidence from our wider work across museums, heritage, visitor experience and environmental organisations. Our research helps organisations understand how people engage with collections, places and landscapes, and how evidence can support stronger strategy, interpretation, audience development and more inclusive visitor experiences.
Elliot’s presentation takes place at 2.45pm on 24 September at Chirk Castle, as part of a programme featuring speakers from the National Trust, Plant Heritage, Harris Bugg Studio and Chelsea Physic Garden.
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