Proposed additions to the Harborough District Council Local List of Non-Designated Heritage Assets

Former Station, Kibworth

Ref: KIB/001

Construction Date: 1857

Architect: Charles Henry Driver

Original Use: Railway Station

Current Use: Commercial

Condition: Good

Occupancy: Occupied

Parish: Kibworth Beauchamp

Ward: Kibworths

Reason for Inclusion

Historic Interest

Small station built as part of the Midland Railway London extension from Leicester to Hitchin which opened in May 1857. The Illustrated London News of 23 May 1857 described stations on this line as 'ornamental and picturesque' which highlights the level of investment and pride in the extension. Kibworth station also handled goods traffic with sidings able to hold 42 wagons with a brick-built goods shed and a 30cwt crane. Kibworth station closed to goods traffic in 1966 and to passengers in 1968. The station shows the transformative impact of the expansion of the railways.

Architectural Interest

Yellow brick with polychrome brick dressings. Slate roofs. T-plan. Decorative barge boards and cast iron windows. Charles Driver used a simplified Gothic style for the stations on the Leicester to Hitchin Line. He is a notable railway architect with several nationally listed buildings to his name, including Kettering station (Grade II). Good example of a small station with highly decorative detailing within the district. Has group value with the former Great Glen station (GG/002) another small station on the Leicester to Hitchin extension.