Havenstreet Railway Station on the Isle of Wight has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
It is one of seven buildings and sites newly listed in recognition of their historic and architectural interest and to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway.
Current station built in 1926
The Havenstreet Station we see today was built in 1926 for the Southern Railway, which had taken over the Isle of Wight Central Railway in 1923.
It replaced an earlier station building and platform which were demolished.
Designed to be ‘single-manned’
As a small rural station, it was designed to be ‘single-manned’ – run by one railway worker acting as both a porter and the signal machinery operator. The building has a combined signal box and booking office, with an adjoining waiting room.
A window in the partition between the signal box and waiting room enabled tickets to be sold directly to the customer.
The station and line closed in 1966 but was reopened in 1971 as part of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Havenstreet Station is open to the public, restored and run by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Many key features including the lever frame, ticket counter, furniture, and the ticket window, are believed to be original.
Seven new listings at Grade II
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 industrial heartland of the Midlands.
Havenstreet Railway Station on the Isle of Wight is a good example of a single-manned station which would have been operated by a lone railway worker, and Woody Bay Station in Devon, built to a ‘chalet style’ design reflecting the area’s nickname of ‘Little Switzerland’, 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. The construction of Swanage Railway in 1885 contributed to the widespread use of Purbeck stone, and to the development of Swanage as a seaside destination.
200 years of the modern railway
These listings celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of modern passenger railway services with the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on 27th September 1825; an event which ultimately transformed the world.
The Stockton & Darlington Railway pioneered and influenced the early development of mainline railways. When it opened in 1825, concepts that we now take for granted had not been conceived, including that of the railway station. The Stockton & Darlington Railway shared its experience generously with visiting engineers and railway promoters and was highly influential in the early development of other railways in England and abroad.
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.
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, incoming Chief Executive of Historic England (job share) said,
“The development of England’s railway system was one of the greatest achievements of the Victorian era. These new listings highlight key milestones in its growth and demonstrate how the railway has shaped our local places today.
“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.”
wycross: They remind us how vital the railways have been
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said,
“These seven sites are stunning examples of our railway heritage. They remind us how vital the railways have been for connecting people across the country, whether it’s for business or pleasure.”
“Listing all of these incredible sites is 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. These listings will ensure they are protected and can be enjoyed for another two hundred years.”
The Missing Pieces Project: Railway 200
We’d love you to add your story about your favourite listed railway places as part of Railway 200. It could be a photo or something you know about the newly listed sites. You can add photos, drawings, audio, film, or text.
Everything you add is an important piece of the picture. And the more pieces of the picture we have, the better we can celebrate and protect what makes these places special.
Through the Missing Pieces Project, Historic England invites everyone to discover the listed places on their doorstep and contribute their own unique piece to the picture by adding photos, videos, stories and memories on the National Heritage List for England.
News shared by Celia on behalf of Historic England. Ed
