THE MOST CAPTIVATING SITES IN THE NORTH WEST

A Knutsford schoolhouse for the poor, dating back to 1692, is one of the most captivating historic sites listed this year in the North West.

Ollerton School House, Knutsford, Grade II listed:

The School House was built in 1692 as a result of a bequest in the will of Samuel Leigh to provide a teacher's house in the village of Ollerton. A schoolroom was also built attached to it, opposite the pond and green in the heart of the village. A new school was built opposite in 1876 following the passing of the Education Act of 1870, and School House became the headmaster's house for the new school.

The building of the school commenced a period of some 300 years of continuous education in a very small rural village, until the new school closed in 1994. The School House is a simple rural building retaining the layout and features of the school, as it was prior to the new school being built in 1876.

John McKenna, a spokesperson for the owners (the Trustees of the Ollerton Education Foundation – a charitable trust) said: “We are delighted that this historic building has now been listed by Historic England to preserve and protect it for the future.”

Heritage Minister, Nigel Huddleston, said: "I am delighted that these important sites have been listed this year. These significant additions to the list span the whole country - from Nottingham to Kent, Andover to Cumbria, and include something for everyone to enjoy. I am grateful that, thanks to these listings, these heritage sites will continue to enrich our communities for generations to come."

Catherine Dewar, North West Regional Director, said: “Every year, we work with painstaking care to identify and protect the most significant historic sites up and down the great counties, towns and cities of the North West. Despite the challenges that everyone has faced this year, 2020 has seen some wonderful additions to the List. From the engineering marvel which carried the Bridgewater Canal over the River Irwell in Salford, to lost Roman altars saved within a wall in Appleby, Cumbria, we have taken action to protect the cultural heritage cherished by communities across the region.”

About Historic England:

We are Historic England the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories they tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all. Follow us on social media @HistoricEngland

Listing:

The National Heritage List for England is held and managed by Historic England on behalf of the Government and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It identifies the buildings, sites and landscapes which receive special protection, so they can be enjoyed by current and future generations. There are over 400,000 items on the List, covering England's most valued historic places.

There are three grades of listing – Grade II, Grade II*[star] and Grade I.

For further information, see What is Listing?

Enrich the list The List has over 400,000 entries and we invite you to share your knowledge and images of listed places, so we can record important facts, and even unlock the secrets of some. Find out how to enrich the list here:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/enrich-the-list/

Pictured - Ollerton School House, School Lane, Ollerton, Knutsford, Cheshire is a teacher's house and schoolroom from 1692.