Historic England has released its updated Heritage at Risk Register for 2026, with 4,991 entries on the Register and with 85 historic sites rescued and removed.
Emma Squire & Claudia Kenyatta, Co-CEOs, Historic England , write:
… Today, Historic England has published its updated Heritage at Risk Register for 2026, and we are writing to thank you for all the work that your team does to care for and give new life to heritage.
The Register provides an annual assessment of England’s historic sites that are most at risk of being lost through neglect, decay or inappropriate development. Tackling these issues requires strong partnership approaches.
Over the past year, across England:
- 85 historic sites have been rescued and their futures secured through the efforts of owners, volunteers, community groups, charities, local authorities, heritage organisations and Historic England working together.
- 197 historic places have been added to the Register due to their deteriorating condition.
- In total, there are 4,991 entries on the Register this year.
We are immensely proud and appreciative of the progress that has been made through partnership working to ensure heritage continues to play a central role in creating prosperous, distinctive and resilient places for future generations. We remain focussed on making a difference to communities through this work.
Heritage plays a vital role in our society. It connects people to the places that matter to them, fosters pride in place, brings communities together, inspires creativity and supports economic growth. Rescuing sites from the Register is heritage-led growth in action, helping to bring historic places back into use, attract investment and support skilled local jobs.
We will be sharing news of sites saved and sites added to the Register on social media. We would love it if you would get involved to help champion the benefits heritage brings and the work that people do up and down the country to care for heritage.
Historic England writes:
Historic England has revealed its Heritage at Risk Register 2026.?The Register gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places. It helps to bring awareness to our valuable national heritage sites to ensure they can be protected and continue to be enjoyed in the future.
Heritage connects us to the places that are important to us, fostering pride and bringing people together. It gives meaning to the places where people live, work and spend time, inspires creativity, and boosts economic growth. When a building is not looked after and used, communities feel a sense of decline.
See full details here
