Yorkshire spots added to Historic England list in 2024

As 2024 draws to a close Historic England has released a list of 17 special historic buildings and sites that were added to the list this year, with two entries from Yorkshire.

From a quirky signpost to a Gothic church that started in a butcher’s kitchen, these places give us a flavour of the amazing heritage that makes modern England. Here are the Yorkshire additions to the National Heritage List for England this year.

A new way of healthcare in Huddersfield

n Huddersfield the former maternity ward at Princess Royal Community Hospital is a fascinating example of how healthcare changed in the 1920s. Built in the Arts and Crafts style this “bungalow ward” was all about infection control and single occupancy rooms—a novelty at the time. It helped to tackle life threatening conditions like childbed fever and vastly improved survival rates for new mums and babies. It served its purpose for 56 years and the original floor plan remains largely unchanged.

Early electricity preserved in Huddersfield

Also in Huddersfield a Victorian electricity junction box from 1895 has been added to the list. Situated at a street corner this iron relic is a reminder of the early days of electricity when neighbourhoods were first connected. Its pyramid shaped top and intricate engravings are still intact.

Why they matter

Each of these places has a unique story to tell about England’s past whether it’s a Gothic church in Surrey, an Arts and Crafts maternity ward or a Tudor-style pub designed to attract “respectable” customers in the 1930s.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England says: “From 17th century chest tombs to a post-war church above the shops these are remarkable places.”

Join the Missing Pieces Project

The Missing Pieces Project wants everyone to share their photos, memories and stories of listed places. These help fill in the gaps and give a fuller picture of each place. So whether it’s taking a photo of your local library or reminiscing about childhood visits to a nearby historic pub your input can help preserve England’s heritage for the future.

England’s history isn’t in the textbooks—it’s all around us waiting to be found. Why not make 2024 the year you find some of these hidden treasures?