At a glance
- Historic England says 604 heritage sites across England remain at risk, with 21 new additions and 20 saved in the past year.
- Newly listed sites include Hampstead Heath’s Hill Garden Pergola and Chiswick House conservatory, while restored places like Tottenham’s public toilets and Upminster’s Tithe Barn have been removed from the list.
- The organisation spent £782,000 on repairs and grants last year, urging that reusing historic buildings is the best way to protect them and strengthen communities.
There are 604 historic sites at risk, according to Historic England.
This number has remained almost the same since 20 were saved and 21 new sites were added after being highlighted as needing restoration.
New sites which have been listed as at risk include Hampstead Heath’s Hill Garden Pergola, as well as the conservatory at Chiswick House.
The once abandoned Bruce Grove public Toilets in Tottenham, North London, has been brought back into use by Historic England and since taken off the register, as well as Tithe Barn in Upminster.
The organisation said heritage was vital and gave places meaning, adding: "When it's not looked after and used, communities feel a sense of decline."
Over the last financial year, it spent £782,000 in support grants and repairs to London sites.
It has now made its 2025 list of at risk sites public. It includes:
- The Moated manor of Edward III, in Rotherhithe, south London
- Crystal Palace low level railway station, south London
- Hampstead Heath's Hill Garden Pergola, in Camden, north London
- The conservatory at Chiswick House, in Hounslow, west London
- Our Ladye Star of the Sea Catholic church, in Greenwich, south-east London.
Historic England say they want to see at risk buildings being used productively and contributing to local economies.
Family Christening in the church we were married in 28 years ago. Haven’t been inside for probably 25 yrs.Our Ladye Star of the Sea Greenwich #pugin pic.twitter.com/KVnKxRbgrj
— mary murphy (@mdminuk) May 28, 2022
The sites that have been rescued this year are:
- The Grade ll-listed Leaning Woman statue, in Hammersmith, west London
- A former post office, in Kingston, south-west London
- Almshouses in Wood Green, north London
- Public toilets in Tottenham, north London
- Six tombs in St Margaret's old churchyard, in Lewisham, southeast London.
The joint chief executives of Historic England, Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire said:
"The best way to protect our buildings is to reuse them, turning them into places of local connection and joy.
"The sites that have been saved and have come off the register this year really highlight the benefits of working together in partnership, and with communities, to create positive, sustainable change.
"Together we can safeguard our heritage for future generations."
The UK government's heritage minister, Baroness Twycross, said: "It is fantastic to see so many historical sites saved for communities up and down the country.
"These are much loved places and it is great to see them being brought back in to use."
