Scheduled monuments in Chesterfield facts for kids

In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a very important old place or building. It's like a special list of historic sites that are protected by law. This protection stops people from changing them without permission.

These special places are chosen by a group called English Heritage. They help decide which sites are important enough to be on the list. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (a government minister) then officially adds them to the list. There are about 20,000 scheduled monuments across the UK!

What Are Scheduled Monuments?

A scheduled monument is an archaeological site or historic building that is considered "nationally important." This means it's a big part of the country's history. Special laws, like the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act of 1979, help protect these sites.

English Heritage plays a big role in finding and listing these places. They make sure these ancient sites are kept safe for everyone to learn from and enjoy. Sometimes, one entry on the list can even include more than one site if they are connected.

Why Are These Sites Protected?

Protecting scheduled monuments is very important. It helps keep our history safe. Without this protection, valuable old buildings and archaeological sites could be damaged or even destroyed.

Sometimes, a scheduled monument can also be a "listed building." This is another way to protect important buildings. English Heritage often thinks that being a listed building offers even better protection. If a monument is no longer considered important enough, it can be "descheduled," meaning it's taken off the protection list.

Ancient Sites in Derbyshire

Derbyshire is a county in England with many amazing historical sites. It has over 500 scheduled monuments! These include many different types of ancient places.

You can find old stone cairns (piles of stones), stone circles, and barrow burial mounds (ancient graves). There are also relics from lead mining, which was important in the past. Even some ancient settlements and over 20 old bridges are protected.

Important Monuments in Chesterfield

The Borough of Chesterfield has its own special scheduled monuments. These sites tell us about the history of the area.

Brampton Barn

Brampton Barn is a very old barn located in Brampton. It was built a long time ago, between the late 1500s and early 1600s. This barn has large wooden supports called cruck trusses. These trusses hold up its stone and slate roof. It's also recognized as a Grade II listed building, which means it has extra protection.

Tapton Castle Motte

Near Chesterfield, you can find the Tapton Castle motte. A "motte" is a large mound of earth that was once part of a castle. It was usually where the castle's main tower or keep stood. This site is a reminder of an old castle that once stood in the area.