The Components of Character
The character of Bedale is provided by a handful of different elements which combine to give the town a distinctive appearance. These elements are as follows:
1. The Buildings
Mostly of brick, some of stone or cobbles with pantile or slate roofs. A few stone slate roofs survive. The more important houses are three storey, the smaller cottages are two storey, but most buildings are joined together in continuous frontages along the main streets.
2. Tofts, Crofts and Garths
Behind the buildings are long narrow gardens, called garths, tofts or crofts, bounded by walls of brick or cobble.
3. Back Lanes
As in many other towns and villages, the narrow gardens on the west side of the main street are bounded by a back lane, Wycar.
4. Greens
The back lane at Wycar is bounded by a small triangular green, and there are smaller greens along the roadside at South End.
These four elements in various combinations make up a number of distinct sub areas in the conservation area as follows:
Market Place
South End
Bedale Park
Parish Church Area
Emgate
Wycar
Beckside and The Harbour
