World · Europe · 5 hrs ago
197 English heritage sites added to risk register
Historic England added 197 sites across England to its Heritage at Risk Register on 5 November.
The list includes Charles Dickens’ writing chalet in Rochester, where timber decay has made the structure too fragile for public access.
It also includes Hall’s Croft, the Stratford-upon-Avon home of Shakespeare’s daughter, which needs repairs after a car damaged its facade in 2025.
Historic buildings and sites face threats including neglect, ageing structures, flooding, coastal erosion and extreme weather.
The register now contains 4,991 nationally important places, including buildings, churches, archaeological sites and parks.
Eighty-five sites were removed after restoration or other solutions, including Newlyn Harbour in Cornwall.
Plans for Hastings Castle include a visitor centre and cafe, while Hall’s Croft still needs major fundraising for repairs.
Historic England added 197 sites in England to its Heritage at Risk Register on 5 November 2026.
The register now has 4,991 entries, including buildings, parks, archaeological sites and conservation areas.
Newly listed places include Charles Dickens’ writing chalet in Rochester, Hall’s Croft in Stratford-upon-Avon and Hastings Castle.
The sites face threats including decay, neglect, damage, coastal erosion and extreme weather.
A total of 85 sites were removed from the register after restoration or other solutions.
- Who
- Historic England added 197 buildings and sites to its Heritage at Risk Register.
- What
- The new entries include historic places threatened by decay, neglect, damage or inappropriate development.
- When
- 5 November 2026.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- The sites are considered at risk from threats including ageing structures, flooding, coastal erosion and extreme weather.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Charles Dickens received the miniature Swiss chalet as a Christmas gift.
Dickens spent much of the day working in the chalet on The Mystery of Edwin Drood before returning home, where he died that night.
A car reversed into the facade of Hall’s Croft, causing further serious damage.
A major wildfire damaged more than 20 scheduled monuments and six listed buildings on Fylingdales Moor.
Historic England added 197 sites to the register and reported that 85 sites had been removed.
- New entries
- 197 sites
- Register total
- 4,991 entries
- Sites removed
- 85
- Hall’s Croft
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Dickens’ Writing Chalet
- Rochester, Kent
- Fylingdales Moor wildfire damage
- More than 20 scheduled monuments and six listed buildings
2 sources
What people are saying
Our historic buildings and places help tell the story of where we live and contribute to the character and identity of local communities.
The most effective way to protect our buildings is to bring them back into use as places that create connection and enjoyment for local people.