Historic England Reveals its Heritage at Risk in the East of England
21 sites have been added, with two sites saved in our region
Historic England has revealed its Heritage at Risk Register 2025.
It aims to gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places. It helps to ensure they can be protected and continue to be enjoyed in the future.
Sites that have now been brought back into use and saved are the Church of St John the Baptist in Royston, Hertfordshire, which has risen from the ashes of a devastating fire, and the Long Shop Museum in Leiston, Suffolk, a time capsule of Victorian industrial heritage.
This year, two sites in the East of England have been rescued and their futures secured.
Many buildings and sites are rescued with the help and commitment of local people, communities, charities, owners and funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
There are also more buildings and places which need help.
The once elegant Mile Cross Gardens and Wensum Park in Norwich needs help. The roof of the Church of St Wendreda in March, Cambridgeshire, is at risk of collapse, and the former Church of St Peter Hungate in Norwich, now home to the story of Norwich’s rich medieval history, also needs major repair.
Over the past year, 21 historic buildings and sites in the East of England have been added to the Register because they are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
"The best way to protect our buildings is to reuse them"
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, Co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “The heritage we see all around us impacts how we feel about our local places. The annual Heritage at Risk Register gives us the opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of bringing our historic buildings back into use.
“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.”
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “We are determined to protect the heritage at the heart of our communities.
“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. This year alone our £15 million Heritage at Risk Capital Fund has been key to saving buildings like these.”
Buildings that have been saved in the East:
-Church of St John the Baptist, Royston, Hertfordshire
-The Long Shop Museum, Leiston, Suffolk
Some of the cew sites at risk in our region:
-Church of St Wendreda, March, Cambridgeshire
-Mile Cross Gardens and Wensum Park, Norwich, Norfolk
-St Peter Hungate, Norwich, Norfolk
-Church of St Mark, Friday Bridge, Cambridgeshire