A 19th-century railway goods shed in Darlington which is now part of a major visitor attraction has officially been saved.

The Grade II* listed goods shed, thought to be the oldest surviving building of its type, has been removed from the 'Heritage At Risk' register.

Historic England has today (Thursday, November 14) published its 2024 register, an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places.

It is one of six sites that have been rescued and their futures secured in the North East this year.

Built almost two centuries ago in 1833, the Grade II* listed goods shed is thought to be the oldest surviving building of its type. It formed part of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and was designed by its chief engineer Thomas Storey.

The Grade II* listed goods shed is thought to be the oldest surviving building of its typeThe Grade II* listed goods shed is thought to be the oldest surviving building of its type (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

The building was the railway’s main point for handling goods such as agricultural produce and doubled in size with an extension in 1839-40 to meet increasing commercial demand. At the same time, a clock tower was added to the roof.  

The site was added to the Heritage at Risk Register in 2019 as it was in poor repair with the clock tower in a particularly precarious state.

Since then, the Goods Shed has been repaired and redeveloped as part of Hopetown Darlington, the £37 million visitor attraction celebrating Darlington’s pioneering railway heritage.

Staff at goods shed building, now part of Hopetown Darlington visitor attractionStaff at goods shed building, now part of Hopetown Darlington visitor attraction (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Historic England contributed more than £250,000 towards the repairs and provided specialist advice on the transformation of the building.

Mike Crawshaw, head of culture and heritage at Darlington Borough Council, said: “The funding received from Historic England helped to, in essence, save the goods shed from its near state of disrepair and restore it to its former glory as an icon of Darlington’s early railway heritage.

“The goods shed is the entry point to the visitor attraction and features a shop, café and an array of railway-themed experiences including a live model railway and 3D Hologauze digital media experience.”

Among other sites removed from the 'At Risk' list is the Beaurepaire grange and chapel in Bearpark, County Durham.

Dating from the 13th century, this manor house was part of the Beaurepaire estate once used as a rural haven for the priors and monks of Durham Cathedral.

In recent years it had become a target for anti-social behaviour, but the site has since been transformed thanks to the drive and dedication of the Dream Heritage community interest company.

The ruins of Beaupaire Priory with conservation volunteers from Dream HeritageThe ruins of Beaupaire Priory with conservation volunteers from Dream Heritage (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

The name Beaurepaire means ‘beautiful retreat’ in Old French – it still remains today an idyllic walking destination and is said to be where the nearby village of Bearpark gets its name.

King Edward I, Edward II and Edward III all visited the manor with their armies during English campaigns against the Scots, who in turn launched raids both in the 14th century and during the English Civil War, ultimately leaving the site in ruins.

Dream Heritage has recruited local volunteers to clear vegetation and litter, presented re-enactments and events, hosted activities for local families and schoolchildren, and even organised donations of gravel from local quarries to help with maintenance. The Beaurepaire site now regularly hosts volunteers from communities and organisations across the North East, and is included on the ‘Way of Light’ Northern Saints walking trail.

Rebekah Watkins, manager of Dream Heritage CIC Volunteering Group, who have cleared the ruins of under growth at BeaurepaireRebekah Watkins, manager of Dream Heritage CIC Volunteering Group, who have cleared the ruins of under growth at Beaurepaire (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Rebekah Watkins, founder of Dream Heritage, said: “We are passionate about creating community heritage, green and archaeological projects alongside setting up youth clubs and youth ministry, to create opportunities for local people to be ambassadors of local positive change.

“By involving the community and young people in their local heritage, they begin to grow a sense of pride and ownership for it, as well as unlocking their own potential in more vocational skills such as heritage maintenance and repair.”

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Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said: “Heritage is so important to the North East. It plays a vital role in our society and boosts the regional economy.

"This year, we have seen partners and communities come together to help save the historic buildings and places that need it the most.

"It’s inspirational to see how we can harness the power of our heritage to benefit local people across the North East. Together, we can save our places and find new ways to enjoy the heritage that people value so much.”