Historic North Yorkshire
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about North Yorkshire from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover North Yorkshire's listed buildings and places
Introducing some of North Yorkshire's most significant historic sites, curated from the National Heritage List for England.
Hornby Castle Park
Appleton East and West
Medieval hunting park modified as a landscaped pleasure gardens and park for Lord Holderness in the 1770s, possibly to the design of Lancelot...
The former Westwood School
Scarborough
Secondary school, 1897-1900 in advance of the 1902 Education Act.
Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey
Aldfield
The official listing for all World Heritage sites is held by UNESCO and can be found on their website.
Two Roman forts, two Roman camps, vicus, Iron Age enclosu…
Newton Kyme cum Toulston
Roman forts served as permanent bases for auxiliary units of the Roman Army.
Farm House and Outbuildings, High Mill Farm
Newby and Scalby
Watermill, corn mill and miller's house, later used as a farm. Buildings mainly early C19. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Former Holy Trinity Church
Scarborough
Former parish church of 1880 by E. Christian. Closed for worship and converted to flats in 2001. Read the official list entry to find out more.
The Abbey Church
Ampleforth
The Roman Catholic Abbey Church at Ampleforth is listed Grade I for the following principal reasons: Historic interest: for perfectly capturing the...
Scarborough South Cliff Railway
Scarborough
Funicular cliff railway, 1875, thought to be the earliest such railway in England designed for passengers.
The Club House at Scarborough Sports and Tennis Club
Scarborough
Tennis Club House at Scarborough Sports Centre, 1912, by Sir Edwin Cooper.
Former Troutsdale School House
Broxa-cum-Troutsdale
Small, single roomed rural school house, circa 1870.
Former Skipton County Court and attached railings
Skipton
Former Skipton County Court (subsequently offices and a church), built between 1856 and 1857 to designs by Charles Reeve.
Former Masham Mechanics' Institute
Masham
Former mechanics' institute designed by William Perkin opened in 1856.
The former Bramcote Tennis Pavilion
Scarborough
Lawn tennis pavilion designed by John Hall and built in an Arts and Crafts Tudor Revival style in 1885.
Multi-period lead mines and processing works and 20th cen…
Grassington
Approximately 10,000 lead industry sites are estimated to survive in England, spanning nearly three millennia of mining history from the later Bronze...
Victoria Mill and associated mill chimney
Skipton
Victoria Mill and associated mill chimney are listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Historical: as a surviving marker of Skipton’s...
Bainbridge Roman fort and annexe
Bainbridge
Roman forts served as permanent bases for auxiliary units of the Roman Army.
Lead mines, ore works and smeltmills at Old Gang on Reeth…
Melbecks
Approximately 10,000 lead industry sites are estimated to survive in England, spanning nearly three millennia of mining history from the later Bronze...
Selby Railway Swing Bridge HUL 2/25
Barlby with Osgodby
Wrought-iron swing bridge, and associated hydraulic tower and engine house, built c1888-91, designed by T. E. Harrison.
Cabmen's Shelter
Ripon
The Cabmen's Shelter is designated for listing at grade II for the following principal reasons: It has a highly decorative Edwardian design, dating...
World War II airfield defences at RAF Church Fenton
Church Fenton
The importance of defending airfields against attack was realised before the outbreak of World War II and a strategy evolved as the war went on.
Kirby Bank Trod, a section of paved trackway extending 40…
Kirkby
Good surviving section of engineered trackway believed to have originally been constructed for Rievaulx Abbey in the late C12 or C13.
The Quadrangle, former Her Majesty's Prison Northallerton
Northallerton
The early core of Northallerton Prison designed by John Carr 1788 and extended in the 1820s by George Atkinson.
Stone alignment west of Boroughbridge known as the Devil'…
Boroughbridge
Stone alignments or stone rows consist of upright stones set in a single line, or in two or more parallel lines, up to several hundred metres in...
Parish Church of St Mary
Richmond
Parish church of C12 to early C15, rebuilt and restored 1858-59 by G.G. Scott. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Surrender lead smelt mill
Reeth, Fremington and Healaugh
Approximately 10,000 lead industry sites are estimated to survive in England, spanning nearly three millennia of mining history from the later Bronze...
Hanging Grimston medieval settlement adjacent to Mount Pl…
Thixendale
Medieval rural settlements in England were marked by great regional diversity in form, size and type, and the protection of their archaeological...
Cawthorn Roman forts and camp including a section of medi…
Cropton
Roman forts are straight sided rectangular enclosures with rounded corners, defined by a single rampart of turf, puddled clay or earth, and with one...
Lord Dacre's Cross or Towton Cross on the west side of th…
Saxton with Scarthingwell
High crosses, frequently heavily decorated, were erected in a variety of locations in the eighth, ninth and tenth centuries AD.
Skipton Library
Skipton
Public library and former shop. 1906 to 1910 to designs by architects J W Broughton and James Hartley of Skipton in a mixed Renaissance style.
Roman temporary camp and medieval monastic cross base, Ma…
Malham
Roman camps are rectangular or sub-rectangular enclosures which were constructed and used by Roman soldiers either when out on campaign or as practice...
White Cross boundary marker known as Fat Betty on Danby Moor
Danby
Wayside crosses are one of several types of Christian cross erected during the medieval period, mostly from the 9th to 15th centuries AD.
Selby Canal, Lund Tunnel
Burn
Lund Tunnel, 1778 by William Jessop, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: the culvert tunnel share a functional and spatial...
Female Cell Block, former Her Majesty's Prison Northallerton
Northallerton
Relatively unaltered prison wing originally designed for women, opened 1852.
Wayside cross and boundary marker known as Young Ralph on…
Westerdale
Wayside crosses are one of several types of Christian cross erected during the medieval period, mostly from the 9th to 15th centuries AD.
Japanese Garden at Grantley Hall
Grantley
Naturalistic Japanese stroll garden constructed around 1910 for Lord and Lady Furness, including two ponds linked by a stream set within a ravine,...
Simon Howe: a round cairn on Goathland Moor, two associat…
Goathland
Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC).
Bank Chambers National Westminster Bank
Selby
Crescent terrace of shops with accommodation over, late C18 to early C19, and former bank chambers of 1900.
Historic North Yorkshire through time
The National Heritage List for England contains hundreds of details about buildings and places, including the periods in which they were built and the uses they've had over the years. Explore how your local area has changed through time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of North Yorkshire
Historic aerial photography shows the growth and changes in England's urban and rural landscapes, revealing secrets that are impossible to see from the ground.
Ampleforth
Ampleforth Abbey and College, Ampleforth, 1929
Ampleforth
Ampleforth College and environs, Ampleforth, 1935
Scarborough
Scarborough Castle, Scarborough, 1929
Scarborough
Scarborough Castle, Scarborough, 1948
Gilling East
Gilling Castle, Gilling East, 1935
Gilling East
Gilling Castle, Gilling East, 1935
Kirkham
Kirkham Park, Kirkham, 1926
Kirkham
Kirkham Hall and surrounding countryside, Kirkham, 1946
Grantley Hall
Grantley Hall, Grantley, 1933
Grantley Hall
Grantley Hall, Grantley, 1933
Historic England Archive images of North Yorkshire
The Historic England Archive holds and cares for over 15 million images, from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of North Yorkshire's past.
Charles George Harper Collection
Richmondshire, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1892 - 1933
A view from the south-west of St Bartholomew's Church, showing the 16th century tower
Eileen ‘Dusty’ Deste Collection
Selby, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1966 - 1970
A view looking south west across the platforms of Tadcaster Station
Eric de Mare
Burnt Yates, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of the Burnt Yates bridge in Clint from one end of the bridge.
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
Staithes, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1956
Portrait of Mrs Verrill at Staithes
John Gay Collection: Counties
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1979
The interior of All Saints Church in Ripley showing the open south door
John Laing Collection
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 18 Apr 1989
The Lopshot Lane bridge over the Wetherby Bypass on the A1, later the A168 Deighton Bank, viewed from the south-west
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 26 Jun 1923
A view looking north across the interior of what was formerly the undercroft of the monks' dormitory, on the east side of the cloister at Fountains...
Alfred Newton and Sons
Fountains Abbey Estate, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1896 - 1920
CHAPEL OF THE NINE ALTARS LOOKING NORTH
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1900 - 1950
GENERAL EXTERIOR VIEW
Walter Scott
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1920 - 1950
An exterior view of the Chapel of Our Lady The Crag showing the figure of a knight, Knaresborough
Eileen ‘Dusty’ Deste Collection
Selby, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1966 - 1970
A view looking north along the platform of the abandoned Tadcaster railway station with the Tower Brewery visible in the background
Walter Scott
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Date created: 1928 - 1932
A view of the west side of Low Bridge, showing the triangular cutwater
Stories about heritage in North Yorkshire
Historic England publishes news, blogs, videos and podcasts celebrating England's heritage. Discover the stories we have about North Yorkshire.
10 Lesser Known Places Linked to King Henry VIII
Mentions Rievaulx Abbey Cistercian monastery: inner and outer precinct, water-management works, agricultural features, enclosures and ancillary buildings
Discover the lesser-known historic sites linked to Henry VIII, including Whitehall Palace, Windsor Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, and Eltham Palace, London.
What Is the Oldest Castle in England?
Mentions The Castle
Discover the oldest English castle contenders, including the Norman Berkhamsted Castle, Windsor Castle, Dover Castle and The White Tower, London.
The Legend of King Arthur
Mentions Cataractonium Roman forts and town
King Arthur was central to the legendary tales of medieval romance. Discover the places connected to Camelot, Tintagel, and the Battle of Badon Hill.
The History of England’s Village Greens
Mentions Stocks
The origins of village greens in England date back to the early Middle Ages. Village greens are open spaces that can be registered.
English High Street Architecture Through the Ages
Mentions The Stephen Joseph Theatre
Explore how the architecture of the English high street has evolved over the centuries.
What Is the Oldest House in England?
Mentions Star Carr Early Mesolithic settlement site, 960m NNW of Woodhouse Farm
Discover when the oldest house in England was built. The earliest domestic house, Saltford Manor House, could date from the 12th century.
A Brief Introduction to Cabmen’s Shelters
Mentions Cabmen's Shelter
Discover the history of the small green cabmen's shelters in London that still serve the capital's taxi drivers
Why Exercising in Historic Green Spaces is Good for Your Mental (and Physical) Health
Mentions Peasholm Park
Explore the benefits of historic public parks and green spaces across England.
Mentions North Yorkshire
This episode begins the Art, Architecture & Sculpture category by exploring some of England’s most stunning sculpture.
The Angel of the North, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Barbara Hepworth’s home
This episode begins the Art, Architecture & Sculpture category by exploring some of England’s most stunning sculpture. The host Dr Suzannah Lipscomb takes us to the Angel of the North, the beautiful landscape of Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Barbara Hepworth’s home and studio in Cornwall. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Together they help tell England’s fascinating history. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com
30 New Projects Explore England’s Rural and CoastalWorking-Class Heritage
Mentions North Yorkshire
Funded by Historic England's Everyday Heritage grants programme, these projects will explore untold stories and celebrate the heart of our history.
£2 Million Awarded to Bradford City Council for Heritage Regeneration Project
Mentions North Yorkshire
Bradford City Council has been awarded £2 million from Historic England to fund a transformative Heritage Action Zone in the city’s historic core.
North Yorkshire Military Base Recognised for Historic Significance
Mentions Former Sandes Soldiers' Home, Cattterick Garrison, Baden Powell House, Catterick Garrison, Army Education Centre, Catterick Garrison
A pioneering mental health and welfare facility for soldiers is 1 of 6 new historic buildings to be listed at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
New Funding to Uncover and Celebrate Working Class Heritage
Mentions North Yorkshire
Historic England's Everyday Heritage Grant programme is funding 56 new projects across the nation, telling the stories of working class heritage.
Selby MP Shows Support for Rejuvenation of Historic Town Centre
Mentions North Yorkshire
Historic England and North Yorkshire Council have been showing Keir Mather MP how they have been working together to rejuvenate Selby’s town centre
Heritage at Risk in Yorkshire Revealed
Mentions Valley Gardens and South Cliff Gardens, North Yorkshire
13 sites have been saved and 7 sites added to the Heritage at Risk Register 2023 in the East of England.
Skipton MP Shows Support for Rejuvenation of Historic Town Centre
Mentions North Yorkshire
Julian Smith CBE MP joins Historic England and North Yorkshire Council as they work together to rejuvenate Skipton’s historic town centre.
Thornborough Henges
Mentions Earth circles, cursus, pit alignments and burial sites near Nosterfield and Thornborough,, North Yorkshire
Historic England and English Heritage have secured the future of two massive henge monuments and their surrounding landscape.
Explore your social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about heritage in their local area.
Yore Mill, Aysgarth, North Yorkshire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This watermill was built in 1854. It is on the site of a medieval fulling mill, next to the river crossing of Yore Bridge.
Yore Mill, Aysgarth, North Yorkshire
Ye Olde Police Station Snack Bar, Helmsley, North Yorkshire
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
The police station in Market Place, Helmsley, was built originally as a warehouse in the early 19th century before it housed the local constabulary.
Ye Olde Police Station Snack Bar, Helmsley, North Yorkshire
Wilson's Mariners Homes, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
These almshouses were built in in 1836. They were originally known as the Mariners Asylum.
Wilson's Mariners Homes, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Whorlton Castle, Whorlton, North Yorkshire
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
This gatehouse is all that remains of a motte and bailey castle. The castle was built in the early 1100s. It was called the castle of Potto in 1216.
Whorlton Castle, Whorlton, North Yorkshire
Whitby Pier, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A view of a street scene in Whitby with the Pier Hotel in the background. According to the Bulmer 1890 directory the Pier Hotel was located at no.
Whitby Pier, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Period: Anglo Saxon (Britons/English/Vikings) (410 - 1065)
The first monastery here was founded in AD 657 by King Oswy of Northumbria. It was an Anglo-Saxon style 'double monastery' for men and women.
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A view of the ruins of Whitby Abbey before restoration by the Office of Works.
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
A view of the Abbey from the east. The first monastery here was founded in AD 657 by King Oswy of Northumbria.
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary.
The Stray Walls, Castle Howard
Bastion walls with interval towers running east to west for approximately 1 mile, immediately south of the Pyramid Gate.
Ayton Castle, Castle Rise
The earthworks of a medieval manorial centre and ruins of a later fortified tower house complex.
Dam at south end of lake, Plumpton Rocks
18th century landscape garden, lake, woodland and parkland. 18th century dam and boathouse designed by John Carr.
Ripley Castle, West and East Pavilions, and attached Bothies, Ripley
Ripley Castle West and East Pavilions and attached bothies in the castle's walled gardens.
Duncombe Park, Helmsley
The sweeping grass terraces, towering veteran trees and classical temples are described by historian Christopher Hussey as 'perhaps the most...
