Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago

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Restoration work in Wakefield has uncovered the timber frame of what could be the oldest surviving medieval timber building in the city.

The discovery was made during conservation work at 6 and 8 Silver Street (home to the Black Swan pub) as part of our Wakefield Upper Westgate High Street Heritage Action Zone.

'Originally, the building was covered with expanded metal mesh and cement render, but I knew there was something really quite special hidden underneath', says Britt Harwood, Conservation Architect for INC. Architecture Ltd.

'What was uncovered was a 3-story jettied timber frame building probably dating from 1590.'

Our High Street Heritage Action Zone has also seen work done to restore the original sandstone frontage of the ICON bar, which was covered entirely in granite, and to renovate the original awnings at Lobby 1867.

Chapters:
Wakefield then and now: 00:00
The Wakefield High Street Heritage Action Zone: 00:55
Restoring the ICON bar: 01:47
Restoring Lobby 1867: 02:20
Discovering a medieval timber frame: 2:46

#HistoricHighStreets

Find out more about our Wakefield Upper Westgate High Street Heritage Action Zone ➡️ bit.ly/WakefieldHSHAZ

Discover the story of Wakefield in 8 places ➡️ bit.ly/WakefieldStory