2.3 Notable buildings and structures

The Parish is enriched by its legacy of fine older buildings of architectural interest which contribute greatly to the character of the area. Over 50 buildings and structures are recognised as of national significance for their special architectural and historic interest and have been listed9. They span at least six centuries. The majority of listed buildings are in Olveston and Tockington but others are at Ingst, Lower Hazel, on Pilning Street and on Fern Hill. A further 34 buildings and structures in the Parish have been recorded by South Gloucestershire Council as of local architectural or historic importance.

In Tockington, notable buildings include the Swan Inn, Tockington Manor School, Grove House, Ivywell House, Lower Farm and Little Brobury Farmhouse (all listed), the Methodist Chapel (not listed) and houses and cottages around The Green (many listed).

Olveston has a fine Parish church, St Mary's (Grade II* ) with its Norman tower. Olveston Court (Grade II*) was formerly a fortified manor house. Associated with it are the Great Barn and the Bee Garden (both Grade II). Near the War Memorial are the former Post Office and the White Hart Inn and adjoining cottages on Church Hill (all listed). Notable listed buildings along The Green and Catherine Hill include Hill House (Grade II* ) with its Cider Barn and outbuildings (Grade II), Beechcroft, Little Grange, Osborne House, Green Farm, the Old Meeting House and Port Farm. Elsewhere, there are listed buildings on The Street and New Road including Churchill House, Cromwell House, The Elms and Paddock House; on Haw Lane including Hawleaze, Hawkfield House and Granville Lodge; and on Vicarage Lane - The Old Vicarage and 1 & 2 Longhaven. Olveston School Hall is on the local list.
Outside these two villages, notable listed buildings include The Down House, Sheepcombe House, Lower Hazel Farm, Valley Farmhouse at Ingst, Lower Woodhouse Farm on Fern Hill and on Pilning Street, Pilning Farm House, Orchard Farmhouse and Ostbridge Manor Farm, reputed to be the oldest residence in the Parish.

Recorded structures of local interest worthy of special care include medieval walls associated with Olveston Court (listed), the traditional K7 telephone box in Tockington, the Victorian letter box in Ingst, the boundary wall and lychgate to the Friends’ burial ground in Lower Hazel, the sheepwash on Washingpool Hill road, the village pumps in Olveston and Old Down, an iron kissing gate in Haw Lane, the waggon wash near Lower Hazel on Sheepcombe Farm land, and the ice house near Tockington Manor School.