Three separate historic buildings councils were created by the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953, one for each of England, Scotland, and Wales. Each Historic Buildings Council advised the relevant government minister on the exercise of powers under the 1953 Act relating to the preservation of listed buildings and other buildings of special architectural or historic interest, including applications for grants. Responsibilities for advice in relation to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 were added later.

All three have now been abolished and replaced by other bodies.

A fourth Historic Buildings Council, for Northern Ireland, was created by the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. It continues to exist, now regulated by the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. It retains responsibility for the listing buildings of special architectural or historic interest in Northern Ireland, designating Conservation Areas, and the preservation of listed buildings.