Q&A with Violet Manners, CEO and Founder of HeritageXplore
What was the inspiration behind HX?
“Growing up at Belvoir, I was encouraged by my mum to work in the ice cream shop and afternoon tea rooms to earn pocket money, an experience that gave me, from a young age, an appreciation of the important role that visitors play in ensuring the success and survival of these houses. The idea for HX first came to me when I was travelling the country for my mother’s podcast Duchess, (for which I was the producer), where I witnessed amongst the independent houses a shared desire for more people to visit them on days that they were open and to make the most of what they had on offer. I’ve also watched as the UK’s heritage and its stories have inspired a new wave of pop culture, which has in turn created a new generation of heritage visitors; digital natives who want to discover the true stories behind the places they’ve seen on screen. I wanted to create a space for this next generation to seamlessly experience the joys of heritage through a platform that felt intuitive to them, which would continue to inspire their sense of adventure without being held back by outdated technology. I believe that these unique places can provide a simple pleasure in our complex modern times, and I want HX to be a window into another world that people can escape into.”
What do you think sets HX apart from other heritage booking platforms?
“We've created the first platform where the UK’s independent historic houses can be discovered and booked in one place. The technicalities of what we've built are also very unique; our CTO William has crafted the site to be incredibly alive in its nature, re-configuring and presenting users with new places and content every time they hit refresh. We have a hugely exciting roadmap of ongoing developments to come and more houses arriving on the platform monthly, so be sure to keep checking back in to see what’s in store!”
What was your biggest challenge in bringing HX to life?
“If I'm honest, every moment has had its challenges. Initially, I knew I needed to find the right person (or people) with strong technical expertise, as my background isn't in tech. Finding the right individuals to bring my vision to life took time. Raising money based on just an idea, even a good one, isn't easy, and I understand why. This is money people have worked hard to earn, and I didn't take the responsibility of raising it lightly, but I also recognised that I needed significant capital to ensure a great user and house experience from the start. There are many exciting things to come, and I don't doubt that challenges will continue to arise. Based on conversations with my friends who are founders, that's just an inevitable part of bringing something entirely new to life. In fact, whilst I have often found myself despairing over how to overcome certain hurdles, they end up becoming fuel for the fire and are of course, incredibly satisfying when they are 'solved'!”
What role do you think heritage plays in our modern times?
“Life can be busy, and we can crave a break from it all. Immersing yourself in the stories and spaces of historic family homes can feel like a much-needed breather. Whether you want to lose yourself reading about a house online, visit and wander the gardens or come to an event, there’s something for everyone to connect with. In terms of their role, I think historic houses have always been integral to their local communities for hundreds of years. They often serve as the hub for local life and craftsmanship and in recent years, especially following COVID, many independent estates have expanded to include farm shops, cafes, and restaurants, making them destinations for a day out. They provide a space for people to enjoy and find time for themselves and their families, as well as to learn more about the stories of the past and how they have shaped the world we live in today. Above all, what I find truly amazing about this country's estates is that they are unique in their offerings; where else can you enjoy adventure playgrounds, stunning landscapes and gardens, open spaces, rich history, beautiful architecture, and excellent dining options all in one place? I think this is largely down to the fact that many of our historic homes (and all the ones on the HX platform) are still family run, and the passion these families have for preserving and sharing these special places with the public is so evident and inspiring to witness.”
How do you think the independent heritage landscape has changed over recent years and how do you imagine it changing in years to come?
“The independent heritage sector is always evolving with the times. Many custodians are forward-thinking and take great pride in opening their houses to the public. Numerous estates have developed beautiful restaurants, farm shops, adventure playgrounds, and much more to create truly amazing places for families to enjoy. I see heritage continuing to balance the preservation of these historic homes with innovation and development to ensure people will continue to enjoy them for years to come. Every estate is also very unique, which is the key to their brilliance—you'll never have the same experience at two independent historic houses. That's why I love the independent sector as much as I do!”
