The history of our land and its people is marked in the fabric of England’s buildings and places. The most significant of these are listed, so they can be understood and protected for the future.
The National Heritage List for England (also known as ‘the List’) has over 400,000 entries: barrows and bunkers, palaces and pigsties, plague crosses and piers, tower blocks and tombstones, cathedrals, windmills and roller coasters. It is a unique record of the country’s evolving history and character and started life in 1882, when the first powers of protection were established.
You can search every entry for free online and some may surprise you.
Here are some of the quirkiest listed structures in England.
Abbey Road Zebra Crossing, London, Grade II listed
In 2010, due to its association with a certain band, Abbey Road Zebra Crossing was granted Grade II listed status. This means that it’s considered to be of special importance, grouped with the nearby Abbey Road Studios, which is also Grade II.
The zebra crossing was made internationally famous on the cover of The Beatles’ 1969 Abbey Road album, and a pilgrimage to hold up traffic is a must for any visiting fan.
Brookland’s Motor Racing Circuit, Surrey, scheduled monument
Completed in 1907, the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit was described as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
As well as being a remarkable technological achievement, the concrete outer circuit also saw advancements in the fields of motorsport and aviation on its Surrey site. It is listed as a scheduled monument.
Perrot’s Folly, The Monument (Observatory), Birmingham, Grade II* listed
The history of this Grade II* decorative structure is little known and much rumoured.
Built in 1758 by John Perrott atop the surrounding suburban sprawl of Edgbaston, Birmingham, it may have been a hunting lodge; or a weather station; or a lookout.
One sombre theory is that Perrot built the tower so that he could see his wife’s grave, fifteen miles away.
Mobil Petrol Station Canopies, Redhill, Leicestershire, Grade II listed
This futuristic petrol station cuts a striking figure off the A6 in Redhill, Leicestershire.
The circular canopies were designed in 1964 by Elliot Noyes, the American modernist architect, as part of a wider rebranding campaign for the Mobil Oil Corporation in the USA. Although now under alternative management, the Grade II canopies are a rare survival and an iconic piece of corporate design.
The Fish, Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire, Grade II listed
Thought to be the oldest collection box in service, this cast iron Cod Fish sits dockside in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire.
Crafted in 1886 for passers-by to donate loose change to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, it is a good example of Victorian foundry craftsmanship. Its Grade II listing is also attributed to it providing a clear link to life in Robin Hood’s Bay before the rise of tourism.
Further reading
Always interesting!
It’s worth noting that Perrot’s folly was also one of the inspirations for Tolkien when writing Lord of the Rings – for the tower of Minas Tirith.
This is so interesting; i’m particularly surprised by the petrol station canopies. A village in Dorset, Abbotsbury, is worth a visit, with its Abbey remains and St Catherines Chapel, set on top of the hill overlooking Abbotsbury Abbey. Originally it was built in the 14th century by monks for pilgrimage and retreat.
Wow, it’s amazing to see such a range of structures that all come under the listed label. I can’t think of any near me but there are likely to be several! Historic England say on their website that 99% of people in England live within a mile of a listed structure (which could be objects, buildings, etc!) Will have to keep a look out.