Gun room, iron forge, and 17th century hall on ‘at risk’ register in Barnsley

The Grade II-listed Grimethorpe Hall is one of 11 Yorkshire sites which have been saved.

Historic England’s annual Heritage At Risk Register identifies sites at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Teams work with owners, developers, funders and communities to find solutions to rescue them.

In Barnsley, 12 sites have made the list, including Low Mill furnace at Cawthorne; Knabbe’s Hall in Silkstone; and the remains of a water-powered iron forge in Wortley.

The register states that Grimethorpe Hall, built in around 1670, requires “extensive repairs”, and has been “eroded by the construction of housing to the west”.

It adds that the majority of openings are blocked up, the roof is now failing with significant water ingress, and discussions are being undertaken with the local community regarding its possible future use.

Repairs to the roof of the Gun Room at Wentworth Castle were completed in 2007, but Historic England says further work is needed on the interior, which is “very poor condition”.

Repairs have also been agreed at the roofless remains of an early 18th century water-powered iron forge at Low Forge, Wortley.

List of Barnsley sites added to register

Grimethorpe Hall, Brierley Road Low Mill furnace, Cawthorne Knabbe’s Hall, Silkstone Gun Room, Wentworth Castle, Stainborough Low Forge, Wortley Church of St Peter, Brinckman Street Church of St Helen, Thurnscoe East Gawber Hall Heavy anti-aircraft gunsite nr Lowfield Farm Romano-British settlements at Finkle Street, Wortley Iron forge at Low Forge, Wortley Worsbrough Conservation Area