1.1 Background

Buildings and structures of national importance are given legal protection by being placed on a ‘List’ of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Under Section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the Welsh Ministers are required to compile and maintain this list.

The first Listing inspections were undertaken in the Post-War period. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Historic Environment Service (Cadw) undertook a systematic programme of investigation across Wales called the ‘Re-survey of Wales’. During the re-survey the buildings in each Community area in Wales were assessed for Listing. Since the Re-survey, the Listing of buildings has continued on a thematic basis (to include some of the more modern building types) and on an adhoc basis. This process is ongoing. 

In Wales there are over 30,000 buildings and structures on the list. Listed buildings range from Medieval Churches to modern commercial premises etc, structures can include railings, gate piers, walls, war memorials, gravestones, post boxes and telephone boxes ­etc.

Buildings on the List are given one of three grades which denote their level of importance, Grade I being the highest. The Grades are: 

• Grade I - Are of exceptional interest
• Grade II* - Are particularly important
• Grade II - Are of special interest

1.2 Frequency of Update

The Listing of buildings and structures is an ongoing process. Buildings and structures can also be removed from the List in a process called ‘De-Listing’.

This is the current, live version of the dataset.

To avoid re-using old data, users should periodically obtain the latest version of the data from here.

1.3 Depictions

If the data is to be incorporated into a Geographic Information System, please note that point data only locates the listed building itself. It does not show the full extent of the listing which confers protection on any object or structure fixed to the listed building and which is ancillary to it, or is within the curtilage which forms part of the land and has done so since 1 July 1948.

Some listings can comprise a single GIS point, however, it may refer to a number of buildings within the listing description, such as a terrace of houses. It is important not to rely only on this digital data as the primary source for identifying the listed building. The point depiction must be used in conjunction with the list description to ensure that the correct building has been identified.

The list description is available online via Cof cymru - National Historic Assets of Wales.

1.4 Use of Data

There are no use restrictions on this data. Recipients may re-use, reproduce, disseminate this data free of charge in any format or medium, provided they do so accurately, acknowledging both the source and copyright as specified (see below),, and do not use it in a misleading context. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose, that dissemination or publishing does not result in duplication, and that it is fairly interpreted. 

When using the above data under the Open Government Licence, please include the following attribution statement: -

Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), DATE [the date that you received the data from Cadw], licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

1.5 Other Information

Further information regarding Listed Buildings can be found on the Historic Environment Service (Cadw) website by following the link below: -

Listed Buildings | Cadw (gov.wales)

The Designation description is available online via Cof Cymru – National Historic Assets of Wales by following the link below: -

Search Cadw records | Cadw (gov.wales)

General Advice

Interpretation advice should be sought where necessary. This information is checked periodically, however, if you would like to discuss the dataset, please contact the Historic Environment Service (Cadw).