Grade I listed · Newcastle upon Tyne

Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican

Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican is a Grade I listed building in Newcastle upon Tyne, first listed on 14 June 1954. It is one of 52 Grade I entries among 722 listed buildings in Newcastle upon Tyne; 2% of Newcastle upon Tyne’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
Field	Value
Name	Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican
Grade	Grade I — exceptional interest
List entry number	1024937
Date first listed	14 June 1954
Local planning authority	Newcastle upon Tyne
Location	54.96930, -1.61051 (map)
Official record	Historic England list entry 1024937

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents Newcastle upon Tyne will require for your works on Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican, lists what the heritage statement must cover and drafts the application text.

Ask Planium what consent you need

What the grade means for works

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest — only about 2.5% of listed buildings in England. Any application for listed building consent is notified to Historic England, and alterations are scrutinised closely.

The protection covers the whole building, inside and out, plus fixtures and attached structures. Typical works that need consent: replacing windows or doors, removing walls or historic fabric, changing roof coverings, installing solar panels or external insulation, and adding extensions.

Listed buildings near Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican

Name	Grade	Distance
The Barbican Walls Between North Gate of Castle and Black Gate	I	9 m
The Black Gate	I	20 m
Railway Viaduct Between St Nicholas Street and the Side	II	28 m
73 and 75, Side	II	37 m
69 and 71, Side	II	41 m
The Keep	I	52 m
Railway Arch South West of Black Gate	II	53 m
County Hall	II	61 m
Railway Arch	II	69 m
Walls, gates and railings west of 43, Side	II	71 m

Frequently asked questions

Is Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican listed?

Yes. Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building, list entry number 1024937, first listed on 14 June 1954. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.

Do I need consent for works to Heron Pit Prison, Drawbridge Pit and Other Under-Buildings in Barbican?

Works that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest — inside or out — need listed building consent from Newcastle upon Tyne, in addition to any planning permission or building regulations approval. Like-for-like repairs often do not, but confirm with the council’s conservation officer before you start.

Source: National Heritage List for England, © Historic England 2026, via planning.data.gov.uk. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Retrieved 12 October 2026. Local authority assigned from the list entry point. This page is a summary — the legal record is the official list entry.