Listing Selection Guides
Please note
In all listing cases, it is important to note that the Secretary of State can only consider the special architectural or historic interest of a building. This special interest is assessed using the statutory criteria for listing outlined in the Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings. These criteria are supported by Historic England’s Selection Guides for different building types, but the guides do not take precedence over the Principles of Selection.
Discover guidance on a wide range of building types in our series of Listing Selection Guides. The guides include a brief history of that building type (such as Education Buildings, which covers schools, colleges, universities and more) and includes a series of listed examples, as well as advice on what we might look at when considering an application to list that type of building. You’ll also find a select bibliography to help guide you to useful further reading.
To understand the statutory criteria for listing, as well as the legislation that enables buildings to be listed, please visit our page 'What are listed buildings?'.
- Agricultural Buildings
- Commemorative Structures
- Commerce and Exchange Buildings
- Culture and Entertainment Buildings
- Education Buildings
- Garden and Park Structures
- Health and Welfare Buildings
- Housing - Suburban and Country
- Housing - The Modern House and housing
- Housing - Town Houses
- Housing - Vernacular Houses
- Industrial Buildings
- Infrastructure - Transport
- Infrastructure - Utilities and Communication
- Law and Government Buildings
- Maritime and Naval Buildings:
- Military Structures
- Places of Worship
- Sports and Recreation Buildings
- Street Furniture
- Where can I find more information on specific types of buildings?
Agricultural Buildings
This guide offers an overview of how farms have developed, the main kinds of building found on them and a brief agricultural history of England since the Middle Ages. The guide also explores regional variation and provides guidance which can be used when assessing agricultural buildings for listing.
Commemorative Structures
A guide exploring outdoor commemorative monuments and public art, including war memorials, tombs, statues and more. As well as a brief overview of the development of these types of structures, the guide also provides guidance which can be used when assessing commemorative structures for listing.
Commerce and Exchange Buildings
This guide provides a brief history of buildings used for commercial use, including banks, offices, shops and places to eat and drink. The guide also provides guidance which can be used when assessing these types of buildings for listing.
Culture and Entertainment Buildings
A guide exploring a wide range of buildings designed for culture and entertainment such as libraries, theatres, cinemas and seaside piers. As well as a brief history of this type of building the guide also provides guidance which can be used when assessing culture and entertainment buildings for listing.
Education Buildings
Covering a range of different educational buildings, this guide provides an overview of the development of these buildings, ranging from medieval universities to post-war primary schools. The guide also provides guidance which can be used when assessing educational buildings for listing.
Garden and Park Structures
This guide explores the diversity of different types of structures found in England’s parks and gardens, ranging from glasshouses to gates. As well as a brief history there is also guidance which can be used when assessing garden and park structures for listing.
Health and Welfare Buildings
A guide to buildings used for the promotion of health and welfare, including almshouses, health centres, hospitals and more. Along with a brief history of these types of buildings there is also guidance which can be used when assessing health and welfare buildings for listing.
Housing - Suburban and Country
Covering a wide range of the types of homes found in suburban and rural areas, this guide includes a brief historical summary as well as guidance which can be used when assessing these types of housing for listing.
Housing - The Modern House and housing
This guide focuses on houses built during the twentieth century, including key moments such as the Garden City Movement and the development of post-war social housing. Alongside a brief historical summary, there is also guidance which can be used when assessing modern homes and housing for listing.
Housing - Town Houses
A guide to the varied types of homes classed as town houses, including mews, terraces and worker’s housing. Along with a historical summary, this guide also provides guidance which can be used when assessing town houses for listing.
Housing - Vernacular Houses
Covering a wide range of vernacular (non-standard and often regionally distinct) houses, this guide includes a historical summary of these types of buildings as well as guidance which can be used when assessing them for listing.
Industrial Buildings
A guide to the variety of buildings associated with industry, as well as a history of this building type the guide also includes guidance which can be used when assessing industrial buildings for listing.
Infrastructure - Transport
This guide covers a broad range of structures associated with transportation, including canal infrastructure, railway buildings and more. Alongside a historical summary, there is also guidance which can be used when assessing transport infrastructure for listing.
Infrastructure - Utilities and Communication
Focusing on the infrastructure required for public utilities including gas and electricity provision, telegraphs and radio communications, this guide provides a historical summary along with guidance which can be used when assessing this type of structure for listing.
Law and Government Buildings
Covering national and local civic buildings such as law courts, town halls and fire stations, this guide includes a historical summary along with guidance which can be used when assessing this type of building for listing.
Maritime and Naval Buildings:
This guide focuses on structures on land that are associated with the sea, including dockyards, lifeboat stations, lighthouses and more. Along with a historical summary of these types of structures, there is also guidance which can be used when assessing maritime and naval buildings for listing.
Military Structures
Covering a wide range of structures used both offensively and defensively, this guide includes a historical summary of military structures along with guidance which can be used when assessing this type of structure for listing.
Places of Worship
This guide covers places used for religious worship, as well as other buildings associated with faith and belief. As well as a brief history of places of worship in England it also includes guidance which can be used when assessing these buildings for listing.
Sports and Recreation Buildings
A guide to the many types of structures associated with sports and recreational activities, both indoors and outdoors, including swimming pools, billiard halls and riding schools. As well as a historical summary, there is also guidance which can be used when assessing sports and recreation buildings and structures for listing.
Street Furniture
Focusing on street furniture including lamps, drinking fountains and milestones, this guide provides a historical summary as well as guidance which can be used when assessing these structures for listing.
Where can I find more information on specific types of buildings?
Our Introductions to Heritage Assets (IHAs) are bite-sized research summaries of different types of heritage assets, including buildings. These useful guides summarise existing literature as well as giving insights into less well-known topics, which might not have been widely studied or written about. Explore topics as diverse as Inter-War Theatres, Shopping Parades and Coastguard Stations.
