Design/methodology/approach – The aim of the article is to explain in what ways cultural
heritage may constitute a tool, medium or space for enhancing and developing this type of capital.
Though the text is mainly of theoretical character, conceptual statements are illustrated with selected
cases from Great Britain and Poland, countries which differ significantly with respect to the level of
social trust and involvement of residents in non-governmental organisations, yet both reflect well the
broad array of impacts of heritage on social capital.