8 Images of a Frosted England

Baby, it’s cold outside!

Our Archive collection of over 13 million images is a window into the history of England’s archaeology, historic buildings and social history. You can use the archive to learn about your local area, and research well known historic buildings and sites. We hold some of the earliest photography ever taken.

Keep warm this winter with our pick of 8 archive images of the historic environment covered in a blanket of snow:

1. Rievaulx Abbey, Ryedale, North Yorkshire

At one time one of England’s most powerful Cistercian monasteries, the impressive ruins of Rievaulx Abbey is managed by English Heritage and is Grade I listed.

2. Highgate Cemetery, London

The resting place of many famous residents and the home of some of the finest funerary architecture in the country, Highgate Cemetery is Grade I listed on the Register of Parks and Gardens.

3. Roborough Castle, North Devon, Exmoor

This near circular mound is an Iron age enclosure or hill fort: the remains of a prehistoric camp. The mound is 4 metres high and is protected as a scheduled monument.

4. Silbury Hill, Avebury, Wiltshire

Part of the Avebury World Heritage Site, the purpose of the largest man-made mound in Europe remains unknown. It was probably completed around 2400 BC and is a scheduled monument.

5. Stokesay Castle, Shropshire

Grade I listed Stokesay Castle, the finest and best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England, looks evermore striking against a stark white backdrop.

6. Kilburn White Horse, on the edge of the North York Moors

Unlike the famous chalk figures it was inspired by, the Kilburn White Horse was in fact cut into Limestone and artificially whitened. During World War II the Horse had to be covered to stop it becoming a target for German bombers.

7. Peveril Castle, Castleton, Derbyshire

Standing high above the village of Castleton in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District, Peveril Castle is one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses and is Grade I listed.

8. Three round barrows, North Yorkshire.

These prehistoric funerary monuments are likely only visible from the air and are protected as a scheduled monument.

Do you have any pictures of the historic environment in the snow? You can now share your images and knowledge with the nation. Find out more here and help us to #ListEngland.

Further Reading

• Search for more seasonal images of your local heritage at the Historic England Archive. 
• Keep Warm this Winter – Guidance on how to Improve your home’s energy efficiency without losing its historic character.
• A Brief Introduction to Bronze Age Barrows