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Listed Buildings of Barwick

Barwicker No. 40
December 1995



A listed building, in England, is one which is included in a list made by the Secretary of State for National Heritage. It is in effect a Register recording the best of British Buildings and other Structures which are of either special architectural or historical interest. The Register includes a wide variety of structures including milestones, village pumps, ancient crosses, bridges, iron railings and stone troughs, etc. Not all structures may be regarded as beautiful but all remain part of our National Heritage.

In the first instance 'Preservation Orders' were introduced by the Town and Country Planning Act (1932) . The first historic survey of England was not however carried out until the 1950s and 1960s. The criteria for the selection of buildings for listing purposes were subsequently revised in 1970. A re-survey was then necessary so that the list could be updated.

The 'Principles of Selection' were initially drawn up by the Historic Buildings Council (now English Heritage) and approved by the Secretary of State for National Heritage. They cover 5 groups:


1. ALL buildings built before 1700 - which survive in anything like their original condition.
2. Most buildings built between 1700 and 1840 - although selection is necessary.
3. Buildings built between 1840 and 1914 - of definite quality and character.
4. Buildings built between 1914 and 1939 - selected buildings of high quality and/or historic interest.
5. A few outstanding buildings built after 1939.

In choosing buildings to be listed particular attention is paid to:

1. Special value within certain types, usually for either architectural reasons or illustrating social/economic history, e.g , Railway stations, almshouses, hospitals, prisons and theatres may fall into this category).
2. Technological innovation or virtuosity, (these may include cast iron prefabrication and the early use of concrete).
3. Association with well known characters or events, (e.g. coaching inns, parsonages and mansions, etc.),
4. Group values, (e.g. Terraces, squares and model villages).

When a building has been listed it is then classified within a grading system. There are now three grades (previously four) which are as follows:

Grade 1 buildings of exceptional interest. (Only approximately 27. are included in this grade).
Grade 11* interest. particularly important buildings of more than special (Only approximately 4~ are included in this grade).
Grade 11 buildings of special interest which warrant every effort being made to preserve them.


Churches were originally classified separately from secular buildings but both are now considered collectively. There are currently 23 listed buildings in the Parish of Barwick-in-Elmet and Scholes (2 x Grade I, 4 x Grade 11* and 1'1 x Grade 11>. They are listed below:

See map below


The Milestone (No. 7) on the A64 opposite the Fox and Grapes is a listed 'building' described as: "Milestone. Kid C18. Round-arched stone overlaid with cast iron triangular in section. Letters in relief."

Photographed on a "bad day" - it is repainted from time to time.
Ed.(2018)


Alan Senior


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