Because of its long history of settlement, the AONB has a wealth of architectural interest.  Characteristic gritstone buildings of many different types occur widely, giving way in the north eastern corner of the AONB to finer grained sandstones and limestone. The AONB's historic buildings occur singly, in small hamlets, and in larger villages and small towns, and range from field barns and isolated hill farmsteads, to houses in the villages, granges, halls and industrial buildings. 

Parts of the Saxon and Norman buildings can still be found, and many of the vernacular buildings, which are such important elements in the landscape are several centuries old.  Few domestic or farm building remain from before the sixteenth century. However, parts of older buildings have been integrated into the structure of more recent developments.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, increasing prosperity and the need for new houses led to substantial new and re-building projects.  Timber frames were replaced or clad with local stone, and stone slates were used instead of thatch.  The flourishing yeoman class employed the skills of stone masons, leaving a legacy of fine vernacular grottiest architecture.  A particularly distinctive feature of the vernacular architecture is the use of mullioned windows.  Good examples of this can be found in Kirkby Malzeard, in the North of the AONB. 

Industrial development in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries led to population growth, more domestic and industrial building and a concentration of settlements.  Industrial building in the area, such as smelting, grinding and spinning mills made its mark on the AONB.  The textile empires of the nineteenth century produced impressive mill complexes at Glasshouses, Low Laithe and New York Mills.  Some philanthropic mill owners paid careful attention to the environment and working conditions of their employees and were responsible for building the churches, schools, libraries and workers' housing that are now important parts of the settlements.

Conservation Areas

The rich architectural history of the area has led to the designation of 52 conservation areas in the Harrogate district. 14 of the conservation areas fall within the boundaries of the AONB and cover an area of 267 hectares. 

A conservation area is defined by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Local authorities have a statutory duty to identify, designate, preserve and enhance conservation areas within their administrative areas. The aim in a conservation area is to preserve and enhance, not merely listed buildings, but all those elements (which may include minor buildings, trees, open spaces, walls, paving materials, etc.) which together make up the familiar and cherished local scene.

Click here to find out more about conservation areas in the Harrogate District.