History begins at home, and while every property has a past, listed buildings are part of a much long, rich heritage. For property owners and enthusiasts who invest time in researching their home’s history, the stories and historical connections which are uncovered can be truly fascinating.

Many property owners look upon the opportunity to be involved in safeguarding features of national heritage as part of the appeal of ownership. Others may only just be beginning to explore the history of their home.

As listed property enthusiasts ourselves, LPOC believe that understanding the historical significance of your property enables you to get more out of your home. Owners with a deeper connection to their home are more likely to dedicate themselves to providing a high level of care for the building and surrounding area. Knowing how your house was constructed and what alterations it has undergone over the years can also help owners who are thinking about making changes of their own.

 

What you can learn about your home’s history

There is an awful lot of history between your own four walls. Perhaps your house is one of the few remaining examples of a period of British architecture, or it may once have hosted an important historical figure or event. It may be that one hundred years ago, your home had a vital role in the local community, or that it miraculously survived being destroyed during a war.

All buildings built before 1700 which are still standing are listed, as are most of those built between 1700 and 1840. In the centuries which have passed between the earliest listed building and the present day, the UK has seen national battles, international world wars, and huge changes in industrial machinery, transport and technology. Heritage properties which have survived may have links to all and any of these drastic changes, serving as a valuable reminder of our history.

 

Researching the history of your house

Really getting to know the building you live in can be a time consuming task. Due to their historical significance, there is usually much more information available on your listed property than there is on a standard house. There will inevitably be a lot of time spent in libraries and on your computer researching the history of your area, but you’ll soon be digging up intriguing facts and stories about your home.

These projects can also be of interest to other local groups and individuals. A good starting point is simply to talk to your local council, your neighbours, and any local history organisations in your area. They may be able to offer valuable insights and information, or introduce a new avenue for your research. Where there is a suggestion that your property performed an important local service, the research may even become a collaborative effort.

Other starting points for your investigation may be much closer to home. Search your property for clues, both inside and out. Are there features which give away information on the date of construction or original purpose? Pay attention to chimneys, fireplaces, and windows which might tell you more about who the property was built for. Some of this is information which could have been given to you by the estate agent or conservation officer when you first acquired the house, so be sure to check what records you already have.

You can also choose to employ a house historian or a heritage consultant to uncover your home’s history in detail – visit our Suppliers Directory for more information and contact details.

At LPOC, we celebrate the conservation of listed buildings up and down the UK in our Club magazine, Listed Heritage. We provide top tips and guides on how to research your home’s history and provide interesting case studies. We also give our members insights into the history of some of the most interesting listed sites in the UK. Every year new places are added to the statutory list, and more intriguing stories are discovered.

Listed Heritage magazine is sent to all members bi-monthly, for more information and to join to receive your subscription click here or call 01795 844939.

 

Celebrating the history of your listed building

Property listings celebrate a building’s special architectural and historic interest, at The Listed Property Owners’ Club we encourage owners to celebrate further. We have created a unique solid lead plaque and personalised solid oak plaques exclusively for owners of listed buildings. These plaques are designed for members and non-members across England, Wales and Scotland who wish to celebrate their justifiable pride of ownership. Our full range of listed property plaques is available online, so why not have a look today – plus members get to purchase these at a discounted price!