East of England: One of the first car washes among the sites listed

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One of the earliest known examples of a modern car wash is among a number of sites newly listed by Historic England.

Barkway Carriage Wash Level II in Hertfordshire is on a list of sites added to the Eastern Region’s National Heritage List.

Grade II* listed Northwold Manor in Norfolk, which has 500 years of different architectural styles, was also noted.

It has been described as an “exceptional time capsule” in design.

Barkway Carriage in Royston, known as the “splash carriage” dates back to the 1600s and is a stopover for those traveling north from London.

It is one of only four such structures in England.

The h fed through a nearby underground water channel and was of the right intensity to submerge the wheels of the cart without flooding it.

Residents reported that he used to fill steam tractors until the 20th century, after automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages.

Earlier this year, Northwold Manor in Northwold saw its indexing replaced from Grade II to Grade II*.

Historic England describes the building, which has been part of the heritage since 1951, as an “exceptional time capsule spanning 500 years of architectural design”.

Once owned by the Carter family (relatives of British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter), the building’s highlights include a Regency ballroom, a 16th Century range, impressive 17th century oak staircase, panelled 18th century parlours and a classical archway into the first-floor porch chamber with fluted ionic columns.

The transom carved over the front is of paramount importance and is a rare survival, Historic England said.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “A range of remarkable historic buildings and sites are added to the List each year and 2023 is no exception.

“This year we’ve sampled some amazing sites that, in combination, give us a window into our rich and varied historical environment. “

Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson, from Whitley Bay, said: “The astonishing variety of places inscribed this year is an astonishing demonstration of the richness of our national heritage.

“The wonderful paintings made in historic England will ensure that they are enjoyed by future generations and that they learn more about attractive people and the stories connected with them. “

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