Buildings and Structures at Risk
At Historic England we've been collecting information on the condition of our built heritage since the publication of our first register of listed buildings at risk in London in 1991.
This helps us to understand why historic buildings or structures are at risk, how to improve their condition and how they can make the best contribution to the vitality and success of our communities and places.
The scheme was later extended to cover the built heritage of the whole of England and the first national register of buildings at risk was published in 1998. Buildings or structures are assessed for inclusion on the Heritage at Risk Register on the basis of condition and occupancy or use. Each annual Register includes a range of fantastically diverse buildings and structures across England which are in need of attention and championing.
What the Register includes
In 2011 we started adding information on the condition of listed places of worship to the Register so our national Heritage at Risk Register currently includes:
- Grade I and II* listed buildings at risk including places of worship
- Grade II listed buildings at risk in London including places of worship
- Grade II listed places of worship at risk outside London
- Structural parts of Scheduled Monuments (those with above-ground remains)
Listed buildings in secular use are assessed using the Buildings and Structures risk assessment whereas listed buildings in use as places of worship are assessed using the Places of Worship risk assessment.
Scheduled monuments with both above-ground and below-ground remains will have two assessments, one as Buildings and Structures and one as Archaeology.
The Long Shop, Leiston
The Long Shop Museum in Leiston, Suffolk, a Grade II* listed site, has reopened to the public after a major restoration funded by the Museum Estate and Development Fund and Historic England. Originally built in 1853 as a prototype for assembly line production, the museum now showcases 200 years of innovation, from farming tools to steam engines that contributed to the agricultural revolution. Restoration work included repairing the roof lights and windows, and redesigning drainage. It was removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2025 following the repairs.
Dr Jenner’s Hut in Berkeley, Gloucestershire
Dr Jenner’s Hut in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, known as the 'Temple of Vaccinia' and the birthplace of vaccination, was added to the Heritage at Risk Register in 2025 and is in urgent need of repair. It was here in 1796 that Dr Edward Jenner carried out the first smallpox vaccinations, pioneering immunology and transforming global health. The thatched roof, rear wall, and chimney now require restoration to secure this historic site’s future.
How we can help buildings at risk
Historic England's main role in securing the future of listed buildings is to provide practical advice, guidance and resources to owners and local authorities.
Our involvement is determined by the potential to contribute to the success and vitality of places and communities, the complexity and urgency of the case and the significance of the building.
We can offer help and support with projects including:
- Analysing the problems facing a building, and making recommendations
- Helping to identify the opportunities and the feasibility of options for future use
- Helping to build the skills and resilience of community groups responsible for buildings
- Helping to broker solutions between partners
- Providing information on funding.
Their condition can usually be improved by finding imaginative new uses, inspirational owners, alternative sources of funding or new partners.
However, not all buildings or structures are capable of being used. These often present the biggest challenges and hardest problems to solve. From medieval ruins to redundant bridges and cemetery monuments, these sites lack an economic incentive for owners to care for them. In these circumstances, our support and the support of our partners can be critical.
Papplewick Pumping Station, Nottingham
Papplewick Pumping Station in Nottinghamshire, a Victorian Gothic Revival masterpiece built between 1882 and 1886, has been removed from the 2025 Heritage at Risk Register following a £500,000 restoration. The Grade II* listed site, notable for its ornate interiors and original machinery, was decommissioned in 1969 but remains uniquely intact. Initial funding from Historic England in 2021 led to a major grant from Arts Council England’s MEND fund in 2023, enabling repairs to the chimney, porch, and surrounding walls.
St Oswald’s Priory, Gloucester
Founded around 900 AD by Lady Aethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred the Great, St Oswald’s Priory was originally a minster housing the relics of St Oswald and Aethelflaed herself. Reformed into an Augustinian priory in 1152, it was later mostly demolished. The remaining north wall, built from recycled Roman stones, is the oldest surviving above-ground structure in Gloucester.
Once vulnerable to heritage crime, the site has now been secured and preserved for the future thanks to funding from Historic England and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and was removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2025.
Funding for repairs
Listed buildings and structures at risk can be eligible for funding. Through our grant funding we can help towards the cost of developing a project, as well as the repairs themselves. In some circumstances, we can also help local authorities with the cost of using urgent works notices and repairs notices to enforce the repair of listed buildings. Some listed and scheduled structures and roofless buildings are eligible for support from our Countryside Stewardship Heritage Service in partnership with Defra. You can find out about eligibility and requirements for the Countryside Stewardship Heritage Service historic and archaeological feature protection item and feasibility study item.
Unfortunately, our funding is limited compared to demand. Grants from other public sources, notably the National Lottery Heritage Fund, continue to be essential in helping secure the future of buildings at risk. Other funding sources can be found in the Heritage Funding Directory.
Fort Widley, Portsmouth
Fort Widley was built between 1861 and 1870 on Portsdown Hill to defend Portsmouth from a feared French invasion. Though never used in battle and once dubbed one of 'Palmerston’s Follies', it later served military purposes during both World Wars. Managed today by the Peter Ashley Activity Centres Trust, the fort hosts an equestrian centre, community spaces, and heritage tours. This scheduled monument currently remains on the Heritage at Risk Register, and it is making strong progress toward removal thanks to a grant from Historic England to restore its 6 footbridges and improve community access.
The challenges ahead for buildings at risk
We still face a number of significant challenges:
- Continuing to champion the important role of historic buildings and structures in creating successful and vibrant places
- Finding ways to bridge the funding gap for buildings and structures that are capable of use but aren't currently economically viable
- Finding solutions for buildings and structures that are not capable of beneficial use
- Supporting local authorities to use their legal powers to secure repairs, particularly given the ongoing decline in local authority resources
- Understanding the condition of secular Grade II listed buildings not eligible for inclusion on our Register (only secular Grade II listed buildings in London are eligible for inclusion on the Register)
We prioritise our grants to help meet these challenges but partnership is also critical in delivering solutions. Local authorities, Natural England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, charitable trusts, private investors and developers are all key partners.
Our regional teams continue to work with owners and local authorities across the country, providing bespoke advice, offering grants where needed and working closely with all partners to secure the best outcomes for our historic buildings and structures at risk.
Also of interest
