1.2.2. Historic and Cultural Aspects
The region contains a rich heritage of historic buildings, ancient monuments boundary features and settlement patterns, reflecting the region's varied economic and social history. The greatest densities of known sites and monuments are in the North York Moors, parts of the Pennines, the Vale of York and Yorkshire Wolds (Figure 1.13).
Figure 1.13. Visible Archaeology (Source: RCHME and Countryside Agency)
The numbers of records held by the sites and monument records within the region gives an indication of the archaeological resource: 60, 000 in North Yorkshire, 10,000 in West Yorkshire, 8,000 in East Riding, North / North East Lincolnshire and 6,000 in South Yorkshire. These encompass a wide range of sites and periods and range from individual finds to large sites. Overall, some 18% of the recorded archaeological resource is under some from of protective designation, although this only represents a fraction of the total resource - estimated to be approximately 5%, see below (MARS: The Monument at Risk survey of England, 1995, English Heritage).
A total of 2,251 Scheduled Ancient Monuments are widely distributed throughout the region, representing 12% of the national total, with new additions currently being made as a result of a systematic programme of survey and enhancement (the Monument Protection Programme). The majority of prehistoric, Roman and medieval sites surviving as earthworks are designated as SAMs or are registered by English Heritage as parks and gardens, whilst related buildings are often listed. The vast majority of archaeological sites, of all periods, beneath farmland or present -day settlements are not protected by designations.
A total of 31,113 Listed Buildings are distributed throughout the region, with concentrations in towns and villages. This represents 8% of the national total, with new additions currently being made as a result of a systematic enhancement programme. Of the regions high grade listed buildings, 7.1% are currently at risk, nearly twice the national average. Of these one in four buildings on the Building at Risk Register of Yorkshire are thought capable of beneficial reuse.
Many boundaries of the region are of historic importance and range from a few ancient banks and ditches (e.g. Roman ridges in South Yorkshire) to complex field systems and dykes (e.g. dyke field systems in East Yorkshire, stretching over many miles). Hedgerow legislation covers many boundaries of historic importance, including ancient parish boundaries dating from the medieval period to the 19th century which make up the most prominent feature of large areas of the landscape.
There are also nationally and internationally significant areas of surviving medieval open field strip cultivation on the Isle of Axholme, within the Humberhead levels. These constitute the most extensive and varied of the handful of surviving field systems in Britain.
The region has a total of 746 Conservation Areas representing 9% of the national areas of high historic, architectural, and landscape value. There are 7 registered Battle Fields, representing 16% of the national total and also a World Heritage Site (Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal).
A total of 72, Registered Parks and Gardens are distributed throughout the region, apart from some parts of the Humberhead levels, and the high moorlands of the Pennines and North York Moors. New additions to the register are currently being made as a result of a systematic enhancement programme. The majority are those associated with country houses and estates, but they also include parks in cities and towns.
The most significant concerns with regard to preservation and management needs of archaeological sites and historic buildings and for boundaries and other features in the wider historic landscape are:
- changes of use (both of land and buildings)
- damage through intensification of agriculture, notably arable cultivation
- damage in wetland areas through intensive drainage
- damage through development works (roads, buildings, pipelines)
- redundancy of historic buildings (especially agricultural and industrial)
- natural erosion (both buildings and archaeological sites), with extreme examples in the case of marine erosion of the Humber Estuary and North Sea coast
English Heritage along with regional bodies (including Local Authorities) monitor developments affecting archaeological sites both designated and undesignated and target management improvement schemes for ancient monuments (English Heritage offered more than £1 million in 1998). Environmentally Sensitive Areas, National Park Schemes and more widely, through targeting in Countryside Stewardship (Figure 1.14) are significant deliverers of improved management of historic landscape features in rural parts of the region.
Figure 1.14. Countryside Stewardship Scheme Target Areas (Source: MAFF)
| North Yorkshire | West Yorkshire | South Yorkshire | East Riding, North East Lincolnshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Bowland Fells Moorland Habitat for waders Regenerating heather Gill woodlands Hay meadows and pasture B & C River Aire Valley Species rich grassland Wet meadows and pasture D & E Yorkshire Dales Conservation of black grouse and waders Haymeadows Wetlands Field F Nidderdale AONB Habitat for waders Species rich meadows and pastures Riverside landscapes G Pennine Dales Fringe Habitat for waders Riverside and wetlands Historic features Field boundaries H Southern Magnesian Limestone Limestone grassland Wet flushes /riverside grassland Iron age hill forts/ archaeology I Tees Lowland Waterside landscapes Arable margins Field boundaries Historic features boundaries and buildings J Vale of Mowbray Restoring field boundaries Restoring wetlands Species rich grassland K L & R North York Moors Species rich hay meadows and pasture Management of archaeological remains Restoring field boundaries and barns Regenerating heather moorland Creating footpaths and bridleways Arable reversion along cliff top Traditional buildings M Vale of Pickering Management of wetlands Conserving archaeological remains Managing Breckland type habitats N Yorkshire Wolds Chalk grasslands Field boundaries Chalk streams Historic features O Howardian Hills Restoring field boundaries Managing species rich grassland Restoring parklands and creating new access P Vale of York Restoring hedgerows Riverside landscapes Heathland New footpaths and bridleways Q Selby Lowlands Wet grasslands and ditches Species rich grassland Lowland heath Arable margins |
A Southern Pennines Hay Meadows and pasture Moorland edge habitat for waders Restoring stone walls and barns B Lowlands and Pennine Fringe Conserving semi- natural grassland Restoring hedgerows Arable margin creation C Southern Magnesian Limestone Magnesian limestone Field boundary Wetlands Arable margins |
A Dark Peak In bye pasture Dry stone wall restoration Moorland regeneration B Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe Restoring hedges and walls/creating arable margins Wet grassland Restoring historic landscapes Creating new greenways C Yorkshire Coalfield Wet grassland for birds Species rich grassland Hedgerow restoration D Magnesian Limestone Grassland Remnant limestone grassland Hedgerow Wetlands Arable margins E Humberhead Levels Wet grassland Arable margins Lowland heath /wall restoration |
A Yorkshire Wolds Chalk grassland Field boundaries Arable reversion B Holderness Wetlands Field Boundaries New footpaths and bridleways C Vale of York Field boundaries Riverside landscapes D Humberhead levels Conserving habitat for wetland birds Grassland and ponds Restoring field boundaries/ creating arable margins E Humber Estuary Restoring field boundaries Creating wetlands Managing waterside habitats/features Grazing marsh F Northern Lincolnshire Edge with Coversands Acid grassland/ heath Field boundaries for birds Wet grassland Historic features and old grassland G Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Wet Grassland Restoring field boundaries Species rich grassland New linear access H Lincolnshire Wolds Chalk grasslands Wet grasslands Early field systems and chalk grasslands I Central Lincolnshire Vale Heathlands Wet grasslands Species rich grassland Hedgerows/ditches |
Figure 1.14a. Countryside Stewardship Scheme Target Areas (Source:MAFF) (Key to Figure 1.14)
The diversity and importance of the historic features and buildings make a significant contribution to the region's distinctiveness, while strengthening the links between national and local heritage. For example, it is estimated that 29 million visits were made to over 400 historic attractions in the region (Yorkshire Tourist Board 1999), making a significant contribution to the local economy.
Page last modified:
17 August, 2005
Page published: 1 October, 2000