Registered Buildings and Conservation Areas of the Isle of Man facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Isle of Man is home to many special buildings and areas that are protected because of their history or unique design. These are called Registered Buildings and Conservation Areas. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) on the Isle of Man is in charge of deciding which places are important enough to be protected.

Right now, over 250 buildings and structures are officially "registered." This means they have special architectural or historical value. Another 275 places might be added to this list in the future! There are also 21 "Conservation Areas." These are like special historic neighborhoods. They protect the old-fashioned look, building materials, and the overall feel of historic places.

The DEFA has a special team called the Planning and Building Control Directorate. They make sure these protected places are looked after. They follow rules to help keep the historic environment safe.

Did you know that eight of the registered buildings have thatched roofs? Thatching is an old way of making roofs using dried plants like straw. You can see some famous thatched houses at the Cregneash Folk Museum. However, these are owned by Manx National Heritage and are not on the official register.

Some of these important buildings were designed by famous architects. Ten of them were designed by Baillie Scott, and others are linked to architect Thomas Brine.

In 2014–2015, a group called the Alliance for Building Conservation was formed. This group brings together different heritage organizations on the Isle of Man. They work to protect more buildings and were worried in 2015 that many historic places were waiting to be registered.

The 21 Conservation Areas are spread across the island. Nine of them are in the capital city, Douglas. Others are in towns like Peel, Castletown, and Ramsey. There are also areas in nine different villages. Most of these areas include many individual Registered Buildings, plus all the other properties around them.

What are Registered Buildings?
- Examples of Registered Buildings
Conservation Areas: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods
Images for kids

What are Registered Buildings?

Registered Buildings are special structures that the Isle of Man government has decided are important because of their history or design. They are officially protected, meaning they cannot be changed or knocked down without special permission. This helps keep the island's unique heritage safe for everyone to enjoy.

Examples of Registered Buildings

Here are a few examples of interesting Registered Buildings:

Leodest Methodist Chapel: This old chapel in Andreas was built in 1835. It was a place of worship for Primitive Methodists.
Yn Thie Thooit: This house in Andreas has a traditional thatched roof. It was given to Manx National Heritage in 1989 and can even be rented!
Close Lake House: Located in Andreas, this house might have been built around 1703. It has a classic mid-Victorian look.
Ballaradcliffe House: This farmhouse in Andreas has been in the Radcliffe family for 400 years! It was built in the 1800s with a Georgian-style outside.
Ballaugh Old Church: This church in Ballaugh has a history going back before 1231. The "new" church was built in 1832.
Bishopscourt: Also in Ballaugh, this large estate and its buildings were registered in 1983.
Old Kirk Braddan Church: This historic church in Braddan was registered in 1983.
Cronkbourne Village: In Braddan, this includes two dozen cottages built in rows.
St Luke's Church: This church in Braddan was registered in 1990.
Cemetery Office, Braddan Church: This building was designed by the famous architect Baillie Scott.
Port Soderick Railway Station: Built in 1897, this old railway station in Braddan is now a protected site.
The Ornamental Gateway, Marine Drive: This beautiful, castle-like gateway in Braddan was registered in 2006.
Cranstal Cottage, Cranstal: This cottage in Bride has a traditional thatched roof.
Bridge Cottage, Cranstal: Just 100 yards from Cranstal Cottage, this building in Bride also has a thatched roof.
Point of Ayre Lighthouse: This important lighthouse at the very north of the island was registered in 1993.

Buildings in Castletown

Castletown has many registered buildings, showing its rich history:

Bridge House: This four-story building was once the Isle of Man Bank.
Castle Rushen: This famous castle is a major historic site in Castletown.
The Police Station: This unique stone building with a round tower was designed by Baillie Scott. It's no longer used by the police and its future is being discussed.
The Smelt Memorial: Built between 1836 and 1837, this memorial is a key landmark.
King William's College: This large school in Castletown was registered in 2001.
Castletown Railway Station: Built around 1874 from local limestone, this station is also protected.
Lorne House: This stone mansion was rebuilt or extended in 1828 by Thomas Brine.

Buildings in Douglas

Douglas, the capital, also has many protected buildings:

Douglas Railway Station: The main railway station, including its ticket office and walls, is registered.
The Grand Union Camera Obscura: This unique optical device on Douglas Head was registered in 1985.
The Castle Mona Hotel: This hotel on the Central Promenade is a registered building.
The Spire of St Andrew's United Reform Church: Even though the church itself has moved, its spire is still protected.
The Old Thatch, Brunswick Road: This building in Douglas has a thatched roof.
The Falcon Cliff Hotel: Built in 1836, this hotel has a Gothic design.
The Douglas Head Hotel: Located on Douglas Head, this hotel is also registered.
The Harbour Swing Bridge Tower and Mechanism: This important part of the harbor was registered in 1989.
The Market Buildings: These iron buildings on North Quay were once the Butchers Market and Fish and Butter Market.
Douglas Head Lighthouse: This lighthouse is a protected landmark.
Facade and Foyer, Strand Cinema: The front and entrance of this cinema, built in 1913, are protected. It was the first cinema built specifically for movies on the Isle of Man.
Ivydene, The Red House, Oakleigh, Myrtle Bank, Hollybank, Falcon Cliff Terrace: These homes were all designed by Baillie Scott.
Cadran Cottage: This cottage was redesigned around 1910 by the Manx designer Archibald Knox.
Douglas Town Hall and Public Library: This important civic building, opened around 1900, is registered.
The Gaiety Theatre: Opened in 1900, this theatre on Harris Promenade is a protected building.
Tower of Refuge: This famous tower on St. Mary's Rock was built in 1832 to help ships avoid shipwrecks.
Jubilee Clock: This cast iron clock was a gift from George William Dumbbell to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.
St Ninian's Church: This church on Ballaquayle Road is also a registered building.
Farmhill Manor: This small mansion was once a farmhouse and was changed into a grander home between 1780 and 1825.

Buildings in Other Areas

Tynwald Old Mill: Located in St John's, this old mill is part of the St John's Village Conservation Area.
Glyn Moar: This Gothic-style house in St John's was built around 1845 and is also in the St John's Village Conservation Area.
Jurby Aerodrome Buildings: Several buildings at the old Jurby airport, including the Guard House, Bomb Store, Terminal Building, and Aeroplane & Seaplane Store, are registered.
Pillboxes in Jurby: Several small concrete defensive structures (pillboxes) from wartime are also registered in Jurby.
Christ Church, Laxey: This Gothic-style church was built in 1856 for local lead miners.
Laxey Working Mens Institute: Opened in 1876, this building in Laxey has been renovated and is still protected.
Milntown House: In Lezayre, this house includes an old mill, mill pond, and mill race.
Sulby Methodist Church: Built in 1912–13, this church has beautiful stained glass.
The Herring Tower: This tower on Langness in Malew was registered in 1991.
Langness Lighthouse: Built in 1880, this lighthouse in Malew is also protected.
St Mark's Church: This church in Malew was consecrated in 1772.
Malew Parish Church: This church in Malew was rebuilt in 1774.
St Runius Church: In Marown, this church was registered in 1983.
The Old Court House, Kirk Michael: This building in Michael was registered in 1991.
St Michael's Church: This church in Michael is also known as Kirk Michael and All Angels Church.
The Whitehouse, Kirk Michael: This landmark house dates back to before 1688.
Kate's Cottage, Keppel Gate: This cottage in Onchan was registered in 1989.
St Peter's Parish Church, Onchan: Construction on this church began in 1830.
Braeside and Leafield: These two houses in Onchan were designed by Baillie Scott.
Thatched house at Niarbyl Beach: This cottage in Patrick has a traditional thatched roof.
Clock Tower Foxdale: This clock tower in Patrick was registered in 2017.
Peel Cathedral (St. German's Cathedral): This red sandstone cathedral in Peel was built between 1879 and 1883.
Peel Police Station: This building was originally the Peel Court House, built in 1892-1893.
Primrose Thatched Cottage, Port Erin: An early farm worker's cottage with a thatched roof.
Cott Ny Greiney, Port St Mary: A cottage with a thatched roof and a traditional two-room layout.
The West Wing of the Bay Queen Hotel, Port St Mary: This hotel extension was designed in the Art Deco style in 1935.
Ramsey Court House: This building in Ramsey was registered in 1985.
St Paul's Church, Ramsey: This church in Ramsey was registered in 1985.
Queens Pier, Ramsey: This pier is a registered structure.
The Albert Tower, Ramsey: Built in 1848, this tower commemorates a visit by Prince Albert.
Beaconsfield Towers, Ramsey: Also known as Monk's Mill, this includes the base of an old windmill.
Rose Cottage, Surby: This cottage in Rushen has a thatched roof.
Colby Level Gate Hut: This stone house for a railway gatekeeper in Rushen was registered in 2014.
Santon Parish Church: This church in Santon was rebuilt in 1774.
Santon Railway Station: This wooden station building, built in 1875, was saved from being lost by a railway society.

Conservation Areas: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods

Conservation Areas are special places that protect the overall look and feel of historic neighborhoods, not just individual buildings. They make sure that new buildings or changes to old ones fit in with the historic style. This helps keep the character of these areas alive.

Here are the 21 Conservation Areas on the Isle of Man:

Douglas (North Quay) Conservation Area
Douglas (Little Switzerland) Conservation Area
Douglas (Ballaquayle Road) Conservation Area
Douglas (Selborne Drive) Conservation Area
Douglas (Windsor Road) Conservation Area
Douglas (Olympia) Conservation Area
Douglas (Woodbourne Road) Conservation Area
Douglas Promenades Conservation Area
Douglas (Athol Street/Victoria Street/Duke Street) Conservation Area
Silverdale Conservation Area: This area includes places like Cregg Mill, Silverdale Glen, Monks’ Bridge, and Rushen Abbey.
Castletown Conservation Area
Laxey Conservation Area
Onchan Conservation Area
Maughold Conservation Area
St John's Village Conservation Area: This area includes famous spots like Tynwald Hill, Tynwald Old Mill, and Glyn Moar.
St Marks Village Conservation Area
Glen Wyllin Conservation Area
Kirk Michael Conservation Area
Ramsey Conservation Area
Peel Conservation Area
Colby Conservation Area

Images for kids

Leodest Methodist Chapel
Ballaugh Old Church
Bishopscourt
Old Kirk Braddan Church
St Luke's Church
Bridge Cottage, Cranstal
Point of Ayre Lighthouse
Bridge House, Castletown
Castle Rushen
The Castle Arms Hotel
The Police Station, Castletown
The Commissioners' Office (Old House of Keys)
The Manx Co-operative Store, The Parade
The Smelt Memorial
Balcony House, The Parade
The Isle of Man Bank, The Parade
St Mary's Church, Castletown
St Mary's Chapel/Old Grammar School
King William's College, Castletown
Castletown Railway Station
Douglas Railway Station
The Grand Union Camera Obscura, Douglas Head
Douglas Head Lighthouse
All Saints Church, Douglas
Jubilee Clock, Victoria Street
The Gaiety Theatre, Harris Promenade
Tower of Refuge
St Ninian's Church, Douglas
The Ornamental Gateway, Marine Drive
Old Kirk Lonan (St Adamnan's)
The Herring Tower, Langness
Langness Lighthouse
St Mark's Church, St Mark's
Malew Parish Church
St Runius Church, Ellerslie
Sulby Methodist Church
Kate's Cottage, Keppel Gate
St Peter's Parish Church, Onchan
Thatched house at Niarbyl Beach
St. German's Cathedral (Peel Cathedral)
Colby Level Gate Hut, Colby
Railway Station, Main Road, Santon
Ramsey Court House
St Paul's Church, Market Square
Queens Pier
The Albert Tower, Ramsey, Isle of Man - geograph.uk - 513883.jpg

The Albert Tower
Water mill at Silverdale
Silverdale Glen
Monks’ Bridge
Rushen Abbey

All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:

Registered Buildings and Conservation Areas of the Isle of Man Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.