Best practices for investigating historical sites without getting arrested

So I've been doing this for about five years now and I've got the equipment sorted, but I keep making the same rookie mistake: not getting proper permissions. Last month I nearly got collared by local council enforcement at an abandoned mill in Lancashire because I didn't realise it was actually active property.

What's the best approach for vetting sites before you show up with the full kit? I've started phoning ahead and pretending to be interested in local history (which I am, genuinely) but it feels a bit dodgy. Do you lot just ask outright? Ring the landowner? I imagine most people would just say no.

Would rather not end up on the wrong side of the law, but I'm also not interested in just investigating the deliberately-open tourist spots like Pendle Hill. There's got to be a sweet spot between trespassing and boredom.

Building relationships with local historical societies is your answer. Seriously. They often have connections to landowners and can get you access you'd never get otherwise. Plus you learn actual history instead of just looking for spooky noises. Win-win.

Last month I nearly got collared by local council enforcement

Mate, just ask permission. Ring the number on the "Private Property" sign or find the council office. Takes five minutes and means you can actually set up properly instead of rushing. I got access to a sealed-off wing of an old hospital in Coventry this way - wouldn't have got near it otherwise.

The tourist spots aren't always boring though. Ever done a proper investigation of Pendle Hill with a decent team and proper methodology? Most people just walk around with their phones. There's actual work to do there.

Check the Land Registry online for ownership details, then contact them directly. If it's a business property, ask to speak to the facilities manager. If it's residential, be polite and explain what you're doing. Honestly most people are more curious than hostile if you're respectful about it.

Local newspapers sometimes cover historical investigations too - gives you credibility when you're contacting owners. I've done three investigations now where the local paper picked it up, made it official-feeling, and suddenly doors opened.