Benefit from being part of BALH, whether you are an individual interested in local history or a local society.

We are the national organisation devoted to the fascinating and diverse topic of local history.

As a member of BALH you will become part of a large group of enthusiastic historians, and will receive copies of our two quarterly publications, The Local Historian and Local History News.

Individual members also enjoy free or discounted entry to our online lectures and webinars, as well as discounts on books and other events. Overseas members are very welcome, and discounted membership is available for students in any form of full-time or part-time education in the UK.

Society members gain the support of being part of an umbrella organisation, and access to our dedicated and highly-regarded insurance scheme. Societies also receive help and support from our experts and a vehicle to promote themselves and their events, while members of our member societies can enjoy discounted entry to many of our events.

Institutional membership is also available for libraries and other bodies wishing to subscribe to our journals.

Membership Packages

Our current membership packages for new members are listed below.

Membership runs for the calendar year from 1 January, and new members will receive back issues of any journals published that year. Alternative arrangements and discounts are available for new members joining after 1 July - for further details, email us at admin@balh.org.uk.

Individual Membership

£36.00

Membership for an individual who is resident in the UK.

Join online

Digital Individual Membership

£30.00

Digital membership for an individual who is resident in the UK or overseas.

Join online

Society Membership

£90.00

Membership for local history societies or groups, with additional benefits of group tickets to events at member rates and an insurance scheme.

Join online

Digital Society Membership

£75.00

Digital membership for local history societies or groups, with additional benefits of group tickets to events at member rates and an insurance scheme.

Join online

Overseas Membership

£51.00

Membership for individuals who are not resident in the UK.

Join online

Institution Membership

£45.00

Membership for Libraries subscribing to The Local Historian via agents.

Join online

Digital Student Membership

£25.00

Digital membership for any student, resident in the UK, enrolled in full-time or part-time education at school, college or university.

Join online

Why BALH?

Nick Barratt Historian and Author

Supporting your academic research

There is an increasing interest in local history as a key element of academic studies – not just the content that has been published by local historians over the decades as a key research resource, but also in co-produced projects. Grant-awarding bodies such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) have placed an increasing emphasis on collaborations and partnerships when considering the award of research funding, and BALH provides the perfect platform for academic researchers to locate key groups and ongoing activity.

Nick Barratt, Historian and Author

Meet the team

Peter D'Sena Trustee

Peter D'Sena

Peter D’Sena is Emeritus Professor of History and Education at the University of Hertfordshire, specialising in crime, history education and curriculum development, with a longstanding commitment to equality, inclusion and decolonising history.

Peter D'Sena, Trustee