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List of oldest buildings in the United Kingdom

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Skara Brae 3180 BC–2500 BC a Neolithic village in Scotland with a high degree of sophistication including furnishings and drainage.
Mousa Broch, built c. 1st century BC
The Roman lighthouse at Dover Castle, built c. 1st century
St. Peter-on-the-Wall Chapel, c. 7th century, is one of the oldest Christian churches in England

This article lists the oldest extant freestanding buildings in the United Kingdom. In order to qualify for the list a structure must:

  • be a recognisable building
  • either incorporate features of building work from the claimed date to at least 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height and/or be a listed building.
  • incorporate features of building work of the above nature that date from no later than 1349 AD.

Roads are excluded although other structures such as bridges may be if they otherwise fulfil the above criteria.

Before 500 AD

Building Location Date built Notes
Knap of Howar Papa Westray, Orkney, Scotland 3700 BC[1] A Neolithic farmstead, probably the oldest preserved stone house in northern Europe.[2][3]
West Kennet Long Barrow Wiltshire, England 3650 BC Passage grave located near Silbury Hill and Avebury stone circle.[4]
Midhowe Chambered Cairn Rousay, Orkney, Scotland 3500 BC A well preserved example of the Orkney-Cromarty type of chambered cairn.[5]
Tomb of the Eagles South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland 3150 BC This chambered tomb was in use for 800 years or more. 16,000 human bones were found here, as well as 725 bird bones, predominantly White-tailed Sea Eagle.[6]
Skara Brae Bay of Skaill, Mainland Orkney, Scotland 3100 BC A large stone-built Neolithic village Mainland, Orkney, Scotland 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village with a high level of preservation and sophistication.[7]
Unstan Chambered Cairn Stenness, Mainland Orkney, Scotland 2800-3400 BC An Orkney-Cromarty chambered cairn.
Maeshowe Stenness, Mainland Orkney, Scotland 2700 BC A large and unique chambered cairn and passage grave, aligned so that its central chamber is illuminated on the winter solstice.[8]
Barnhouse Settlement Stenness, Mainland Orkney, Scotland 2600 BC A Neolithic settlement.[9]
Jarlshof Sumburgh, Shetland, Scotland 200 BC A complex of preserved wheelhouses, amongst the remains of a variety of much older and more recent buildings.[10][11]
Broch of Mousa Mousa, Shetland, Scotland 1st century BC Located on a small island in Shetland, this is the best preserved of numerous brochs from this period.[12]
Temple of Claudius (Colchester Castle) Colchester, Essex, England c. 60 The substantial podium and vaults are of the Roman temple (of Camulodunum, capital of Britain). The Norman castle above dates from c. 1076.[13]
Balkerne Gate Colchester, Essex, England c. 80 The remainder of the gateway through the Roman wall of Colchester is the largest surviving gateway in Roman Britain.[14]
Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre Caerleon, Monmouthshire, Wales c. 90
'Walls Castle' Ravenglass, Cumbria c. 120 Remains of Roman bath house: one of the largest remaining Roman structures in Britain
Edin's Hall Broch Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland c. 140 Substantial broch, sited on much earlier hill fort. One of a very few built south of the Highlands and Islands.[15]
London Wall London, England c. 200 Significant remains of Roman wall at various locations in London
Painted House Dover, Kent, England c. 200 Also one of the best preserved Roman houses in Britain
Portchester Castle Portchester, Hampshire 285-290 Complete remains of large Roman walled fort. The best preserved Roman fort north of the Alps
Newport Arch Lincoln 3rd Century Intact arch of the former Roman gate. Part of the Roman fortifications around Lincoln.
Beehive cells Eileach an Naoimh, Argyll, Scotland 6th century The monastic centre on this island was founded by St. Brendan the Navigator in 542. The oldest remains include a double beehive cell and a grave and cross-slab associated with Eithne the mother of Columba. These are the oldest extant church buildings in Scotland and possibly Britain.[16][17][18]

500 AD to 1000 AD

Building Location Earliest extant structure date Notes
St Martin's Church, Canterbury Canterbury, Kent 597 The oldest church building in England, still functioning as a church. St Martin's was the private chapel of Queen Bertha of Kent in the 6th century before Augustine arrived from Rome.
Church of St Peter-on-the-Wall Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, England 654 The Chapel is assumed to be that of "Ythanceaster" (Bede, book III, chapter XXII), originally constructed as an Anglo-Celtic Church for the East Saxons in 654 AD by St Cedd, astride the ruins of the abandoned Roman fort of Othona incorporating the Roman bricks and stones.
Escomb Church Escomb, County Durham, England 670
Ripon Cathedral Ripon, North Yorkshire, England 672 Only the Crypt survives at all - the earliest part of Cathedral itself is 1069
Hexham Abbey Hexham, Northumberland, England 674 St. Wilfred's 7th-century crypt survives, built largely out of stones from the Roman city at Corbridge. The main part of the abbey church dates to the 12th and 13th centuries.
St Peter's Church Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, England 674
St Paul's Church Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, England 680 The Saxon chancel survives.
St Laurence's Church Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England 7th century
All Saints Church Brixworth, Northamptonshire, England 650-870
Greensted Church Greensted, Essex, England 845 The oldest wooden building in England
St Nicholas' Church, Leicester Leicester, Leicestershire, England c. 900
St Peter's Church, Barton-upon-Humber Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire 9th (baptistery) and 10th centuries One of the best-known Anglo-Saxon buildings, owing to its role in Thomas Rickman's identification of the style.
St Nicholas' Church Worth, Crawley, England c. 950 / 1050
St Mary's Church Sompting, West Sussex, England c. 960
All Saints' Church, Earls Barton Earls Barton, Northamptonshire c. 970 Even though only the tower survives from the original church, this is one of the best examples of later Anglo-Saxon architecture.
Stow Minster Stow, Lincolnshire 975 Cathedral church of the ancient Diocese of Lindsey. On site of earlier 7th century building.
St Oran's Chapel Iona, Argyll, Scotland 12th century Burial place of Scottish kings until Donald III, incorporates a 12th-century door.[19]

11th century

Building Location Earliest extant structure date Notes
Holy Trinity Church, Colchester, Essex, England 1020 Oldest building in Colchester, which has an Anglo Saxon tower with an arrow head doorway. Burial place of William Gilbert and madrigal composer John Wilbye. Grade I listed building.
St Martin's Church, Wareham, Wareham, Dorset, England 1030 Anglo-Saxon features include a tall, narrow nave and chancel, late Anglo-Saxon wall-arcading in the north west aisle and traces of a Saxon door.
St Michael at the North Gate Oxford, England 1040 The tower dates from 1040. Oxford's oldest building.
St Chad's Church Stafford, Staffordshire, England 1050
Exeter Cathedral Exeter, England 1050 Historians[who?] suggest that this could be even earlier, i.e. c. AD 690
Chepstow Castle Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales 1067
Norwich Castle Norwich, East Anglia, England 1067
Lincoln Castle Lincoln 1068 (completed)
Canterbury Cathedral Canterbury, Kent, England 1070 Founded in 597
Richmond Castle Richmond, North Yorkshire, England Constructed from 1071
Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln 1072 Largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1185, after which it was rebuilt. Parts of the West-End remain of the original.
Tower of London London, England 1078
Hereford Cathedral Hereford, England 1079
Rochester Cathedral Rochester, Kent, England 1080 Gundulf's tower and the core of the nave piers.[20]
Ely Cathedral Ely, Cambridgeshire, England 1083
Shrewsbury Abbey Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England 1083
St Albans Cathedral St Albans, Hertfordshire, England 1089
St Nicholas Church Iford, East Sussex, England c. 1090[21]
Durham Cathedral Durham, England 1093 started
Winchester Cathedral Winchester, Hampshire, England 1079 started 1093 completed


Norwich Cathedral Norwich, Norfolk, England 1096
Westminster Hall City of Westminster, England 1097[22][23] Oldest existing part of the Palace of Westminster. The roof was probably originally supported by pillars, giving three aisles, but during the reign of King Richard II, this was replaced by a hammerbeam roof.
Lancaster Castle Lancaster, Lancashire, England Speculated 11th Century although exact date is unknown.

12th century

Building Location Earliest extant structure date Notes
Church of St Martin of Tours Detling, Kent, England c. 1100[24]
Church of St Andrew, Stogursey Stogursey, Somerset, England 1107[25]
St Margaret's Chapel Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland 1124
St Andrew's Church Haughton-le-Skerne, Darlington, County Durham 1125 [citation needed]
Furness Abbey Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria, England 1127 Abbey founded in 1123, construction of the church began in 1127 and some of this early fabric survives.[26]
St Mary's Church, West Chiltington West Chiltington, West Sussex, England 1100 – 1150 A Saxon building is recorded in the Domesday book, almost certainly on the same site. It is not known whether or not any of the older building was incorporated into the Norman structure.
Carlisle Castle Carlisle, Cumbria, England c. 1122 - 1135[27]
Rochester Castle Rochester, Kent, England 1127
St Rule's Tower St Andrews, Fife, Scotland 1127
Holyrood Abbey Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland 1128
Dunfermline Abbey Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland 1128
Dover Priory Dover, Kent, England 1131 One of the oldest monastic Refectories, still in use today by Dover College
Kirkstead Abbey Kirkstead, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England 1139 (founded) Destroyed during the reformation; only a single part remains
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, Wales c. 1140 The existing Great Keep was built by Robert "the Consul".[28]
Cubbie Roo's Castle Wyre, Orkney, Scotland c. 1145 The ruins include a small square keep still extant to 2.4 metres (8 ft) in height.[29]
Birkenhead Priory Birkenhead, Wirral, England 1150
Jew's House Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England c. 1150
Adel St John the Baptist Church Adel, Leeds, Yorkshire, England 1150
Windsor Castle Windsor, Berkshire, England 1154
Bradwell Abbey Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England 1155 The Grade I Listed Chapel still remains, the inside of the Chapel is often open to the public
Saltford Manor House Saltford, Somerset, England c. 1160
Warwick Castle Warwick, Warwickshire, England c. 1160 A "Burh" was built on the site in 914,[30] replaced by a motte and bailey, in turn replaced by a stone keep by King Henry II (1154–89).
Carrickfergus Castle Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland 1177
Barfreston Church Kent, England Rebuilt around 1180
[citation needed] 		One of the most exquisite, and least known, small Romanesque churches in England, with fine 12th century carvings reminiscent of churches in the south-west French region of Saintonge.
Malmesbury Abbey Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England c. 1180 About a third of the original building remains, and is still in use
Oakham Castle Oakham, Rutland, England 1180-1190 The great hall remains and is Grade I listed. Entrance is free
Pembroke Castle Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales c. 1189 Concentric stone castle built by William Marshall from 1189.[31]
Newark Priory Pyrford, Surrey, England c. 1189 - 1199 Established in the late 12th century by Rauld de Calva and his wife Beatrice de Sandes for Augustian canons. Still exists as ruins today and is listed as a Grade I Ancient Monument.
Holy Cross Church Sarratt, Hertfordshire, England 1190[32]
Cleeve Abbey Washford, Somerset, England 1198[33]
St Laurence's Church Ludlow, Shropshire, England 1199[34]

13th century

Building Location Earliest extant structure date Notes
Aberdour Castle Aberdour, Fife, Scotland c. 1200 Base of a late 12th or early 13th century hall house incorporated into later buildings[35]
Easaigh Church Ensay, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Scotland 12th century[citation needed]
Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury, Wiltshire, England 1258 Construction began in 1220
St. Leonard's Without Kirkstead, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England 1230-40
Icomb Place Icomb, Gloucestershire, England At least 1200-40 The first documented activity in the house, was a "restoration" in 1200. The Episcopal manor of Blockley owned the estate in 1086
York Castle York, Yorkshire, England 1265
Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly, South Wales 1268-1271 A concentric stone castle surrounded by lakes, the second largest fortress in Britain.[36]
Tintern Abbey Tintern, Monmouthshire, Wales 1269-1301[37] The existing ruins of the great church date from this period.
All Hallows Church Wellingborough, Northants. c. 1280 Construction of the existing tower began c. 1280 and took 20 years to complete.[38]
All Hallows Church Wellingborough, Northants. c. 1280 Construction of the existing tower began c. 1280 and took 20 years to complete.[39]

14th century (to 1349)

Building Location Earliest extant structure date Notes

See also

References

  1. ^ Wickham-Jones, Caroline (2007) Orkney: A Historical Guide. Edinburgh. Birlinn. p. 40.
  2. ^ "Knap of Howar" Historic Scotland. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  3. ^ "The Knap o' Howar, Papay". Orkneyjar. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  4. ^ "West Kennet Long Barrow, Avebury" English Heritage. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  5. ^ "The Midhowe Stalled Cairn, Rousay". Orkneyjar. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Tomb of the Eagles" tomboftheeagles.co.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  7. ^ Hawkes 1986, p. 262
  8. ^ "Maeshowe". Orkneyjar. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  9. ^ "Barnhouse Settlement". Orkneyjar. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  10. ^ "Jarlshof Prehistoric & Norse Settlement" Historic Scotland. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
  11. ^ Armit, Ian (1991) The Atlantic Scottish Iron Age: five levels of chronology. Proc Soc Antiq Scot 121 page 193
  12. ^ Fojut, Noel (1981)"Is Mousa a broch?" Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. 111 pp. 220-228.
  13. ^ Colchester Castle, Essex, InfoBritain.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  14. ^ M. R. Hull, "Short Guide to Roman Colchester"
  15. ^ RCAHMS Canmore. Retrieved30 August 2012
  16. ^ Pallister, Marian (2005) Lost Argyll: Argyll's Lost Heritage. Edinburgh. Birlinn. Pages 120 and 133.
  17. ^ "Garvellachs, Eileach An Naoimh" Canmore. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  18. ^ "Jura National Scenic Area" (2010) (pdf) Extract from: The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas. SNH Commissioned Report No.374. Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  19. ^ RCAHMS Canmore. Retrieved 30 August 2012
  20. ^ Palmer, G.H. (1897), The Cathedral Church of Rochester - A description of its fabric and a brief history of the Episcopal See, Bell's Cathedrals, George Bell & Sons, retrieved 31 January 2012 p.13
  21. ^ "St Nicholas, Iford, East Sussex". roughwood.net. 3 January 2004.
  22. ^ Cescinsky, Herbert; Gribble, Ernest R. (February 1922). "Westminster Hall and Its Roof". The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs. 40 (227): 76–84. JSTOR 861585. (subscription required)
  23. ^ Early history - UK Parliament. Access date: 9 July 2012.
  24. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Martin of Tours (1086225)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  25. ^ "Stogursey Castle". Images of England. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  26. ^ "Furness Abbey - Information for Teachers" (PDF). English Heritage. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  27. ^ Carlisle Castle Keep, English Heritage website. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  28. ^ Cardiff Castle, Castles of Wales website. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
  29. ^ "Cubbie Roo's Castle". CANMORE. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  30. ^ [1]
  31. ^ "Pembroke Castle". BBC Wales History. BBC. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  32. ^ "Holy Cross Church". Holy Cross Church. The Benefice of Holy Cross Sarratt and St Pauls Chipperfield. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  33. ^ "Cleeve Abbey". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  34. ^ Lloyd, David Historic Ludlow: the Parish Church of Saint Laurence, a History and a Guide, Birmingham, England: SP Print, 1980
  35. ^ Tabraham, Chris. (1997) Scotland's Castles, BT Batsford/Historic Scotland. ISBN 0-7134-7965-5 p.33
  36. ^ "Caerphilly Castle". BBC Wales History. BBC. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  37. ^ Cistercian Abbeys: TINTERN, University of Sheffield, Cistercians of Yorkshire Project. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  38. ^ Wellingborough: Churches, A History of the County of Northampton: Volume 4 (on British History Online). Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  39. ^ Desktop Backgrounds, Digital era has been a revolution for photography. it's changed the habits of the amateur photographers also as those professionals..
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