person Mark Brown North of England correspondent

Mysterious Lake District barn joins national treasures on heritage list

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has granted Grade II* listed status to "Henry’s Castle," a mysterious limestone structure in the Lake District previously used as a livestock shelter. Following a four-year restoration project involving archaeologists and conservation engineers, experts identified high-status architectural features including a 14th-century oak roof truss, a corbelled chimneystack, and a garderobe. These elements suggest the building was originally a significant residence, such as a hunting lodge or a lookout dwelling, rather than a simple barn.

Victorian time capsule: exhibition tells story of Brodsworth Hall in Yorkshire

An exhibition opens at Brodsworth Hall in Yorkshire celebrating the life and passion of Sylvia Grant-Dalton, the house's long-term custodian. The show focuses on her love of gardening and floral art, featuring her collection of decorative objects, a recreated flower preparation room, and displays inspired by her work, including a large floral installation by local floristry students.

‘She broke the rules, fearlessly’: exhibition explores Vivienne Westwood’s revolutionary work

A major exhibition titled "Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary" has opened at the Bowes Museum in County Durham, England. The show features over 40 ensembles and numerous accessories drawn almost entirely from the private collection of Peter Smithson, a chemistry teacher and dedicated Westwood supercollector who has amassed these pieces over three decades.