York Historic Environment Record

Askham Bryan conservation area was designated in 1980. It includes the whole of the Main Street and the village's outer edges, including small areas of recent housing. On 20th January 2005 the conservation area was extended to include: St. Nicholas' Croft and adjoining properties on Main Street; paddocks and gardens to either side of Northfield Lane and the property called Church Hill Farm. An area to the rear of St. Nicholas' Churchyard was removed from the conservation area at the same time. The rural setting of Askham Bryan largely survives, with open countryside coming up to the informal, irregularly-shaped outer edges of the village that evolved naturally from the traditional pattern of plot boundaries. The main elements of the character and appearance of the area are: 1) The survival of the overall village form of Askham Bryan and of its relationship with the surrounding countryside 2) The linear qualities of Main Street, maintaining a cohesive character through the various parts of the village 3) The remaining groups of historic and vernacular buildings, and the beauty of St. Nicholas' Church 4) The landscape elements - mature trees, grassed verges, open fields and village pond