Tucked away within Hampstead Heath, itself often referred to as one of the ‘last lungs of London’, the Grade II-listed Hill Garden Pergola is in need of repair.
Storm damage and deterioration over time has meant that the Edwardian structures are starting to show their age – and with hundreds of thousands of visitors per year, a long-term conservation strategy needs to be developed so the garden can remain open to the public for future generations to enjoy.
The garden is just one of 138 sites that have been added to the Register this year – bringing the total number of entries to 4,891.
The Register highlights historic buildings, parks and even battlefields that are at risk of neglect, decay or ‘inappropriate change’, while encouraging local people, communities and funders to help preserve them for future generations.
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There have been 129 successful renovations this year alone, including 26 Westgate in Gloucester (the largest timber-framed townhouse in England) and the 17th-century Old School Coffee House in Barnstaple, which has been transformed into award-winning almshouse accommodation.
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “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.”
However, there are still plenty of buildings that require help. From one of the few examples of Roman heating in Britain, to a shed in which the first-ever smallpox vaccination took place, here are six of them.
Heritage at Risk Register 2025
Hill Garden Pergola, Hampstead, Greater London
The Grade II-listed Hill Garden Pergola is a popular site in Hampstead Heath, but some of the materials used to construct the pergola are starting to deteriorate due to age and weathering. Initially constructed as part of a private garden, it was opened to the public in 1963.
Church of St Wendreda, March, Cambridgeshire
The medieval church of St Wendreda, in Cambridgeshire, is suffering from severe structural issues that threaten its survival. The tie bars within its spire have corroded and surrounding stonework also needs repair. This also risks the church's irreplaceable roof which dates from 1523-26.
Buildings 26 and 21, Cromford Mills, Matlock
Cromford Mills is in Derbyshire's Derwent Valley World Heritage Site and is the home of the factory system of production. In the 1770s, Richard Arkwright created the forerunner of textile mills and mill towns across the world, harnessing waterpower to drive his cotton spinning machines. A pair of cottages, perhaps built to house on-call mill workers in 1780, are now at risk due to poor condition.
Brading Roman Villa Hypocaust, Sandown, Isle of Wight
The hypocaust at Brading Roman Villa is one of the few examples of Roman heating in Britain. The hypocaust forms part of the North Range: a large hall that included a bath hall built around 200AD. The remains of the heating system were sheltered by an Edwardian building that was constructed around the time of excavations in the 1880s and now needs repair.
Mile Cross Gardens and Wensum Park, Norwich, Norfolk
Designed between 1925-29, Mile Cross Gardens and Wensum Park were created as part of Norwich's pioneering social housing scheme. Mile Cross Gardens provided green space for the Mile Cross Estate and featured pavilions, stone pergolas and landscaping. Wensum Park provided free access to nature and leisure facilities for local families. Each site's historic features are now severely deteriorated.
Dr Jenner’s Hut in the Garden of the Chantry, Berkeley, Gloucestershire
Dr Edward Jenner performed the first ever vaccinations against smallpox in this hut on 14 May 1796. Known as the father of immunology, Dr Jenner christened this hut the 'Temple of Vaccinia' and it marked the beginning of a global revolution in health. The hut is now in a poor condition, with its thatched roof almost bare at the ridge. The rear wall and chimney also need urgent repairs.
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