Heritage at Risk

The Heritage at Risk programme protects and manages England’s historic environment. It identifies sites at risk of being lost through neglect, decay or inappropriate development and updates the Heritage at Risk Register annually. We work with owners, friends groups, developers and other stakeholders to find solutions for ‘at risk’ heritage.

The important process of checking the condition of our heritage goes back more than two decades to the birth of the London Buildings at Risk survey. The method has since been widened to include other types of historic places (heritage assets). The Heritage at Risk Register now includes:

• Buildings and structures

• Places of worship

• Archaeology entries

• Registered parks and gardens

• Registered battlefields

• Protected wreck sites

• Conservation areas

In 2023, there were 4,871 entries on the Heritage at Risk Register, and 203 sites were saved in 2022/23. You can find out what's at risk by searching the Heritage at Risk Register or by downloading a regional Register.

As well as carrying out surveys on condition and management, Historic England also does social and economic research to understand the value of heritage, as well as offering Heritage at Risk grants.

Historic England's local teams have a specific focus on reducing local heritage at risk. They use the outcomes of research and the annual register to help prioritise where they focus their time and funding. They work with partners such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural England to support owners with funding to understand what repair or conservation works are needed as well as the actual work.

Project Details


Location: United Kingdom, Northern Europe, Europe Organiser(s): Historic England Funder(s): Historic England Funding received: £20.2 million Commencement Date: 12/1993 Project Status: Active
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