Historic England Identifies 800-Year-Old Church and “World’s First” Railway Station Among At-Risk Sites

Historic England has identified an 800-year-old church and a site recognized as the world’s first railway station as being among those at risk. The conservation organization has included seven locations across the North East and Cumbria on its register of sites facing threats from “neglect, decay or inappropriate development.” These additions encompass the Grade I listed Holy Trinity Church situated in Kendal, Cumbria; the Heighington & Aycliffe Railway Station in County Durham; and a former school site in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, which is 270 years old. Conversely, locations removed from the list comprise the Gatehouse at Carlisle’s Tullie museum and the medieval streets of Priestpopple, Cattle Market, and Battle Hill, characterized by their curving layout within the Hexham Conservation Area in Northumberland. This marks the 26th consecutive year Historic England has compiled its list of “at risk” properties, noting that approximately three-quarters of the sites added since 1998 have subsequently been removed following renovation. The Heighington & Aycliffe Railway Station, located in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, which dates back to 1826, is regarded as the world’s inaugural railway station. Initially conceived as a public house, it was the location where the Locomotion No 1 steam train made its debut on the railway. The structure was converted into a pub in 1984, but it ceased operations in 2017 and is currently derelict. The Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway have initiated a campaign aimed at preserving the station. The nave of the Grade I listed site has an age of 800 years. Additional aisles were incorporated over several centuries, enabling it to regularly accommodate a congregation of 1,100 during its peak period. Although the existing edifice dates to 1201, The Domesday Book mentions a church at this location during the Anglo-Saxon era, and a section of an Anglian cross has been dated to approximately 850 AD. The interior’s luminosity is attributed to its distinctive construction, featuring five aisles delineated by columns, which facilitates extensive window areas. A Georgian mansion, originating from 1754, features a rear wing constructed around the turn of the 19th Century. It was converted into a grammar school in 1866 and underwent further expansion before the school moved in 1939. The structure has remained unoccupied since 2015, experiencing a decline in its condition. The Berwick Youth Project acquired it in 2020, and current planning and listed building consent are in place for its conversion to residential use. Additional sites included on the 2024 list are: Locations removed from the list comprise: Duncan Wilson, the chief executive of Historic England, stated that heritage “plays a vital role in our society and boosts the regional economy.” He added, “Together, we can save our places and find new ways to enjoy the heritage that people value so much.” The complete register is available for search here. For updates, follow BBC North East on X and Facebook, and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook, as well as both on Nextdoor and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available here.