The Office of Works was initially established in 1378 with responsibility for the construction and maintenance of royal residences and fortifications. It continued in this form until 1832 when it became part of the Office of Woods, Forests, Land Revenues, Works and Buildings as the Works Department.

In 1851 it was again reconstituted this time as a separate department under the name of Office of Works. The new department was responsible for the construction and maintenance of public buildings but the passage of the Ancient Monuments Protection Act in 1882, and subsequent legislation up to the Ancient Monuments Consolidation Amendment Act 1913, added the protection of ancient monuments to its responsibilities. This would continue until 1940 when it became part of the Ministry of Works.