Image of ruins with grass in the foreground and volunteers sitting on the walls.
Saved: Beaupaire Priory, Bearpark, County Durham. Exterior, ruins with conservation volunteers from Dream Heritage. © Historic England Archive. DP486288. View List entry 1120721
Saved: Beaupaire Priory, Bearpark, County Durham. Exterior, ruins with conservation volunteers from Dream Heritage. © Historic England Archive. DP486288. View List entry 1120721

Historic England Reveals its Heritage at Risk Register 2024

Historic England has today revealed its Heritage at Risk Register 2024. The Register gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places. It helps to ensure they can be protected and continue to be enjoyed in the future.

This year alone, 124 sites have been rescued and their futures secured. Many buildings and sites have been rescued with the help and commitment of local people, communities, charities, owners and funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

There are also more buildings and places which need help. Over the past year, 155 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register because they are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Heritage is so important to this country. It plays a vital role in our society and boosts local economy. This year, we have seen partners and communities come together to help save the historic buildings and places that need it the most. It’s inspirational to see how we can harness the power of our heritage to benefit local people. Together, we can save our places and find new ways to enjoy our valued heritage.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive Historic England

Our shared heritage is all around us. It brings local communities together, inspires creativity and boosts economic growth. The latest research shows the heritage sector contributed £44.6 billion to the UK economy in 2022.

Historic England works closely with partners and communities across the country to breathe new life into the places that need it most.

At risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate change

Sites added to the Heritage at Risk Register 2024 include: Kings Norton Old Grammar School in the West Midlands, once a target for the suffragettes; Southchurch Hall in the East of England, a medieval moated house at the heart of community life and Hurst Castle, a Tudor fortress by the sea in Hampshire

Image of the front face of a two-story building. The walls of the ground floor are built with red brick while the walls of the first floor is half-timbered. Photograph showing castle by the sea with wall falling down in the middle. Image of a house built with red brick and timber-framed, surrounded by greenery and partially obscured by a large tree. There are stairs leading up to the house. Photograph of a red brick entrance arch leading to a walled garden. two lead greenhouses can be seen on either side of the arch. Image of a roman wall inside a building. Paintings are visible on the wall and there is a large orange pot standing on the left corner. Image of two people fixing a large metal structure. A windmill is visible in the background. Image showing castle on a grassy hilltop with scaffolding on the entrance.

If a local historic site is added to the register, how can the public help?

Together, we can save our shared heritage for the future:

  • Historic England has dedicated toolkits on our website for Heritage at Risk and Caring for Heritage and provides expert advice to owners, local authorities and communities
  • Historic England works creatively with owners and communities to deliver new visions for how these historic places can be used again and can provide grant aid.
  • Historic England supports communities to come together, connecting interested parties to raise awareness and additional funds.

In total, there are 4,891 entries on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2024 – 20 more than in 2023.

Restored, rescued, and brought back to life

Sites saved and removed from the Heritage at Risk Register 2024 include: one of London's "Magnificent Seven" Victorian garden cemeteries; two of Exmoor’s spectacular Iron Age hillforts and the striking 1930s Saltdean Lido in East Sussex

Image of the front of a large art deco building with white walls and blue framed windows. A large blue neon sign says Saltdean Lido. Image showing an aerial view of a hillfort, located on a hilltop and roughly circular in shape. Image of ruins with grass in the foreground and volunteers sitting on the walls. Image of row of people standing and smiling with a big sign behind them saying Hopetown Darlington. Image of large church stretching into the blue sky. Trees are visible in the background. Image an older building with a new extension attached with two curved roofs and and glass walls. Image shows high street with newly painted building in the centre. There are some people walking down the street. Image showing cemetery, with memorials placed amongst a wildflower meadow with trees in the distance.

The UK has an abundance of heritage sites across the country that attract tourists and provide jobs in local communities. Many of these are in desperate need of support.

The Heritage at Risk Register plays a vital role in our ongoing mission to protect and preserve our rich heritage across the country. From Hexham Historic High Street to Brighton's Saltdean Lido, many beloved sites have been removed from the list this year and I hope that more will be saved thanks to their inclusion this year.

Sir Chris Bryant, Heritage Minister

What's new in 2024?

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