War horse’s headstone and ancient trackway get special protection

Intriguing sites put on Historic England list in 2017

A prehistoric timber trackway, a gravestone to a war horse and the gardens where Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp are among the more unusual historic sites in England protected this year.

A Roman parade ground, “acoustic mirrors” for detecting aircraft before radar and 1970s’ concrete student halls have also made it on to a list of the 20 most intriguing places given listed status in 2017, drawn up by Historic England.

In total, 1,041 buildings, landscapes, monuments and sites have been given protected status in the past year, the Government’s heritage agency said.

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s chief executive, said: “99% of people in England live within a mile of a listed building or place.

“While many places on the list are well known and even world famous, we also want people to understand and enjoy the extraordinary range of history on their own doorsteps.

“These sites are irreplaceable and showcase the wonderfully distinct and diverse character of England and its people across thousands of years.”

John Glen, heritage minister, said: “This list showcases the sheer breadth and diversity of our heritage.

“In the year we marked the 70th anniversary of the listing scheme, I am pleased so many important and interesting places have been protected for the nation.”

More unusual places listed in 2017 are:

● The Eliza Adams Lifeboat Memorial, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, commemorating 11 members of the Eliza Adams RNLI lifeboat crew who died in October 1880 when a large wave capsized their vessel during a rescue operation – listed Grade II.

● Chrisp Street Market Clock Tower and The Festival Inn, Poplar, London, which forms part of England’s first pedestrianised shopping precinct at the heart of the new Lansbury estate in war-damaged east London – listed Grade II.

● Skegness Esplanade and Tower Gardens, Lincolnshire, where Billy Butlin opened his first Butlin’s holiday camp in 1936 following his success in amusement parks, which he began with a hoopla stall – registered Grade II.

● Leaf Hall, Working Men’s Institute, Eastbourne, East Sussex, which was built in 1863-64 and included a coffee room, library, smoking room, lecture room to accommodate 200 with an orchestral gallery, and a skittle yard – listed Grade II.

● Acoustic Mirrors, Fan Bay, Dover, Kent, which were used to detect distant aircraft engines before radar was developed, and are unusual for surviving as a pair and for being carved into the cliff face as opposed to being freestanding.

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This list showcases the sheer breadth and diversity of our heritage. DUNCAN WILSON OF HISTORIC ENGLAND

Holiday camp ‘king’ Billy Butlin with Miss World contestants. Skegness Esplanade and Tower Gardens in Lincolnshire, where Mr Butlin opened his first Butlin’s camp in 1936, has been listed by Historic England.