Barford Conservation Area

Old buildings and their settings are an important part of our local and national heritage. It is important to preserve them both as a historical and social record. Barford was chosen in 1969 as an area of special architectural and historical interest. Most of the Village is protected by Conservation Area status with the exception of some modern development to the south and west.

The formal definition of a Conservation Area is,

“An area of special architectural and historical interest, the character or appearance of which it is desired to preserve or enhance”

There are no less that 48 listed houses and other structures in the village which puts them in the top 2% of buildings in England which are statutorily protected. Barford House is the village’s only remaining Grand Mansion built nearly 200 years ago in the Regency style. It has been awarded Grade II* status. Only major houses and monuments are regarded of greater importance such as Warwick Castle, which is a Grade I listed building. Any Grade II* building is of national importance, as is it’s outlook and environmental setting.

In many ways, Conservation Areas are a fragile environment which can soon be destroyed by unsympathetic changes.

The character of Barford village is defined by the diversity of the historic properties both listed and unlisted which line the four main streets of the Conservation Area (Bridge St, Church St, High St and Wellesbourne Road).

There are significant open areas within the Conservation Area which should be protected. These include:

* Open areas around Barford House
* The playing fields
* The Village Green
* The character of the river frontage