Walk around pretty much any UK town and you’ll find buildings filled with historical, cultural and artistic significance. And those buildings are worth keeping around – which is why Historic England’s National Heritage List is so important. From buildings and monuments to parks, gardens and even battlefields, Historic England protects heritage sites by giving them ‘listed’ status and thereby protecting them for future generations.
And this year, a bunch of places received listed status. A total of 227 sites were added to the heritage list in 2023, but which ones were the most interesting?
Arguably all the sites on the National Heritage List are interesting, but the Barkway Carriage Wash in Hertfordshire is especially so. A rare coach wash, it was used to clean coach wheels and nameplates back in the 1600s. Think old-school car wash, without the fluffy electronic wipers. Here’s a pic.
Another fascinating addition this year was a radar station in Northumberland that was built in 1941 to detect and monitor German naval movements during World War II. A small structure of two buildings still equipped with a generator bed, cable ducts and evidence of power transmission, it’s one of eight radar stations that survived the war. There’s a picture of that one above.
Other notable additions were the Railway Tavern in Darlington, the Church of St Nicholas in Lancashire, the Beaconsfield Golf Club Clubhouse in Buckinghamshire and the Northwold Manor in Norfolk.
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, the heritage minister said: ‘The striking range of places listed this year is a vivid demonstration of the richness and variety of our national heritage. The great work done by Historic England will ensure that they are protected for future generations to enjoy – and to learn about the fascinating people and stories connected with them.’
Find out more about the full listings on the Historic England website here.
Heritage havens with Time Out
From castles and carriageways to churches and cathedrals, the UK is littered with sites packed full of heritage. Need some travel inspo? Here at Time Out, we provide you with the best of the best sites to visit while you’re travelling the UK. Here are the 20 best museums in the UK, the 13 best castles in the UK and the 37 best things to do in the UK.
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