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Historic Farmsteads

A pair of linked aisled timber-framed and thatched barns
A large farmstead including terraces of cottages for the farm labourers

Aim of the Project

The overall aim of the Historic Farmsteads: Preliminary Characterisation project is to produce a web-based Preliminary Regional Character Statement for each of the eight government regions outside London in order to support the national policy statement  Living buildings in a living landscape: finding a future for traditional farm buildings.

Objectives of the project

The objectives of the Historic Farmsteads: Preliminary Characterisation project are to:

  • Provide clear statements on the significance of the main characteristics and values of the historic farm building resource.
  • Articulate clearly the core values and policies of English Heritage and the Countryside Agency policy on matters relating to these buildings.
  • Provide clear statements identifying the driving forces and pressures affecting them.
  • Raise the awareness of policy makers of the need for policy formulation which takes account of historic farm buildings within a regional and local context.

Preliminary regional character statements

A Preliminary Regional Character Statement has been produced for each of the 8 government regions.

The aim of the statements is to promote better and more accessible understanding of the character of farm buildings. The statements provide an information base for a broad diversity of users with an interest in researching, understanding and managing historic farmsteads. The statements have been written as a sourced synthesis of information, drawing together information that will enable the farmsteads of each region to be better understood within the national context of farmstead and agricultural development, and their surrounding fields and settlements. They are consultation documents and readers are invited to submit their comments.
Each statement is divided into 10 sections:

  • Section 1 provides an introduction to the Statement along with its aims.
  • Section 2 provides an introduction to characterisation and briefly describes the landscape character of the Region, examining the pattern of rural settlement across the Region.
  • Section 3 describes the predominant building materials used for farm buildings nationally and in the Region.
  • Section 4 provides a brief introduction to the agricultural history of England with particular reference to the development of farmsteads and farm buildings divided into the major periods, supported by statements relating to the survival and significance of farm buildings from each period. This is followed by a summary of the agricultural history of the Region.
  • Section 5 provides a national and regional background of types of farmsteads and farm buildings.
  • Sections 6, 7 and 8 provide a national and regional overview of key building types.
  • Section 9 provides a Glossary of terms both familiar and unfamiliar to the reader (e.g. dairy, linhay, enclosure).
  • Section 10 provides a list of national and regional sources for further reference.

East Midlands

East of England

North East

North West

South East

South West

West Midlands

Yorkshire and Humber

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