Harvington Conservation Area

Harvington Conservation Area was designated in 1991 and consists of an agricultural hamlet focused upon the medieval Harvington Hall, together with its setting.

Harvington Hall is a Manor house, possibly dating from the fourteenth century but with seventeenth century alterations. It stands on an island with an attendant malt house and chapel, and is surrounded by a moat traversed by two stone bridges. To the east is Harvington Hall Farm dating from the seventeenth century, and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of 1825, with an adjoining Priest's House and stable.

Thirteen of the buildings in the Conservation Area are 'Listed' , including the Hall's two bridges, the sandstone walls surrounding the churchyard, a garden wall to the Priest's House and two barns. Harvington Hall itself is Listed Grade I, and together, the Hall and its setting are a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The building materials are mainly red brick and red sandstone, and red plain clay tiles. Brick is often used on a sandstone plinth. Two of the barns, and the malt house to the Hall, are timber framed. Two small quarries, which still survive in the north-west part of the Conservation Area, provided a source of sandstone for construction.

The Hall and moat are special features within the Conservation Area. There are several attractive deciduous trees in the area and a sizeable area of open space to the fore of the Hall beyond the moat. These are important components of its setting and of the Area's character. There are important views to the Hall, when approaching via the lane from the north-west, and across the fields from the south-west. The Hall is open to the public, adding to the profile of the Area and a small car parking area is provided in the middle of the hamlet for visitors. This facility is informal in its layout, appearance and use of materials, which minimises its impact. Two lanes lead into the hamlet both of which are typically rural, being narrow and winding, with soft edges. There is an absence of street lighting in the Area, which helps it retain a rural and uncluttered feel.

Set amidst agricultural land on the narrow winding lane, this small hamlet has changed very little over the years and still enjoys relative tranquillity despite being a popular attraction for visitors.