Alistair Hardaker
Image: Havenstreet Railway Station © Historic England Archive
What is thought to be the world’s first purpose-built railway pub is among seven sites to receive Grade II listing
Seven railway heritage sites have been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
Five heritage railway stations, alongside two other railway sites, were listed in recognition of their historic and architectural interest and to mark 200 years of the modern railway.
The earliest identified purpose-built railway pub in the world, the first of the Stockton & Darlington Railway’s prototype stations, the Cleveland Bay, has been granted protection, alongside Weybourne Station and Sheringham Station, two village stations important in connecting the agricultural regions, fishing villages and tourist destinations of north Norfolk with the Midlands.
Havenstreet Railway Station on the Isle of Wight, historically operated by a single railway worker, and Woody Bay Station in Devon have also been added to the List.
Two further sites have been listed at Grade II along the Swanage Railway heritage line: Swanage Engine Shed and Turntable, and Northbrook Road overbridge.
Railway 200 is a year-long celebration of 200 years of the modern railway inspiring a new generation to choose a career in rail through collaboration with community and rail groups.
Celebrations also include The National Railway Museum’s partnership with Railway 200 to create a mobile museum housed within four railway carriages.
Train carriages become mobile museum for railway bicentenary tour
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, joint incoming chief executive of Historic England said: “Every newly listed station announced today is open to the public to visit, so the protection of these sites means that they will continue to be seen and enjoyed by visitors for generations to come.”
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said the listing of the seven sites was “the perfect way to celebrate Railway 200 and shine a light on the role of railways in shaping our national story over the last two centuries”.
