Hastings Castle in East Sussex, a fortress commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman invasion of 1066, and Charles Dickens' Swiss-style writing chalet in Kent are among nearly 200 historic places newly added to Historic England's heritage at risk register.
Climate pressures and coastal erosion
Historic England said the 197 additions are diverse, ranging from the fire-blasted Fylingdales Moor in North Yorkshire to the 17th-century Hall's Croft in Stratford-upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare's daughter. Some of the strain on sites is attributed to the climate emergency, with hotter summers and stormier winters placing treasured places in greater peril.
Emma Squire, joint chief executive of Historic England, acknowledged that some people would be surprised that high-profile sites could be in danger. "It highlights that even places regarded as very special can sometimes be at risk of decay or loss," she said.
Hastings Castle, built to secure William's position along the English south coast, has long been shaped by its exposed setting and coastal erosion, but recent sections have become vulnerable due to extreme weather events. Squire noted: "More extreme weather events and coastal erosion are definitely themes. Water ingress and subsidence feature more than they have done in the past because of changing weather patterns."
Dickens' chalet and wildfire damage
Dickens' wooden writing chalet in Rochester has been added because it is judged fragile and in need of repair. The two-storey building originally stood in Dickens' garden at Gads Hill Place in Higham, Kent, where he worked undistracted. He is thought to have positioned mirrors to rehearse for public performances and develop new characters. The chalet was moved to its present position in the 1960s.
The Fylingdales Moor wildfire in 2025 damaged about 25 sq km of moorland and forest, according to North Yorkshire fire and rescue service. Historic England said it affected thousands of people living and working in the area and had a major impact on the natural environment. It has been working with the North York Moors National Park Authority using drones to assess the damage.
Other additions and success stories
Hall's Croft in Stratford-upon-Avon needs funding to save its exterior, including repairs after it was hit by a vehicle. The 18th-century Bidston windmill in Wirral, Merseyside, which offers views of Liverpool and the Welsh mountains, also requires urgent repairs despite being kept open by a friends group.
Historic England reported that 85 sites had been "saved" and removed from the register, including Newlyn harbour in Cornwall, where specialists restored granite structures and 19th-century wrought iron railings. In Haringey, north London, 810 Tottenham High Road, a Georgian terrace house, is now a creative hub with artists' studios, galleries and a cafe after being saved by Tottenham Hotspur FC with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Edward Jenner's hut in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, described as the site of the world's first vaccination clinic, has also been saved.
Historic England spent more than £12m on grants for support and repairs to 135 sites during 2025-26. Nearly 5,000 sites remain on the list, including 1,500 secular buildings, 1,000 places of worship, three battlefields and four wrecks. Heritage minister Fiona Twycross said: "This year's register is an important reminder of the pressures facing our historic environment, from ageing buildings and structural deterioration to the impacts of extreme weather."
