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Historic England adds 197 vulnerable sites to heritage at risk register
Historic England has added 197 sites to its heritage at risk register, including Hastings Castle, Charles Dickens’ writing chalet and fire-damaged Fylingdales Moor. The additions show how historic places can become vulnerable through neglect and damage, while changing weather patterns and coastal erosion are increasing risks to some sites.
Hastings Castle, built after the Norman invasion of 1066, faces exposure to extreme weather and coastal erosion; Dickens’ chalet in Rochester is considered fragile and needs repairs. A 2025 wildfire damaged about 25 sq km of Fylingdales Moor, and Shakespeare’s daughter’s former home, Hall’s Croft, also needs funding for exterior repairs. Historic England said 85 sites have been removed from the register, including Newlyn harbour and Edward Jenner’s summerhouse.
In short
- Historic England added 197 sites to its at risk register.
- Weather, erosion and disrepair threaten notable historic places.
- 85 sites, including Newlyn harbour, have been saved.
Explained simply
Historic England is the government’s adviser on England’s historic buildings and places. Its heritage at risk register records sites judged to be vulnerable, for example because they need repairs, have been damaged or face threats from their surroundings. Being listed draws attention to their condition and can help guide efforts to protect them.
The sites range from castles and writers’ homes to landscapes and harbours. Their owners and managers are responsible for their care, while Historic England assesses risks and works with others to support conservation. Weather damage, erosion and a lack of funding can all make historic places harder to preserve.
The register matters because it helps show where England’s heritage may be lost or damaged without action. A site’s place on it can change as its condition improves or worsens.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Norman conquest castle and Dickens chalet among sites added to heritage at risk register”.