Heritage at Risk: How Visiting Stately Homes Can Help Save Them
Historic England has just released its Heritage at Risk Register, the nationwide audit that tracks the condition of the country’s most precious historic sites. As the public body responsible for championing and protecting England’s historic environment, Historic England publishes this assessment annually to spotlight where the fabric of the nation is flourishing and where it is beginning to fray. The register serves as both a warning system and a progress report revealing which buildings, monuments or landscapes are in danger of being lost, as well as celebrating those that have been successfully restored. It remains a vital tool for understanding the health of England’s heritage, pinpointing where investment, community action and public support are urgently needed and where conservation efforts are already making a tangible difference.
The latest assessment paints a picture of both progress and precarity in England’s historic landscape. On the positive side, more than a hundred vulnerable sites have been rescued in the past year: a testament to the impact of targeted grants, community partnerships and the growing recognition that restoring heritage can revitalise local economies and foster pride. Yet, the report also makes clear that the work is far from done: even as sites are saved, a slightly larger number have newly fallen into distress, reflecting chronic underinvestment, ageing structure and the relentless pressures of neglect. It is a delicate balance in which every victory is tempered by fresh concern, reminding us that without public engagement and sustained care, many of the country’s most irreplaceable sites are at risk of slipping away.
Some of the most startling findings underline the scale of the challenge. Nearly 5,000 heritage sites across England are now officially classed as at risk, spanning everything from medieval ruins to industrial landmarks and once-grand public buildings. Even more sobering is that more sites were added to the Register this year than removed, with 138 new entries sliding into vulnerability. The audit also reveals that without intervention, many culturally vital community buildings stand on the brink of irreversible decline. Collectively, the figures paint a stark picture: England’s heritage isn’t simply ageing: in many places, it is deteriorating faster than it can be saved.
We believe there has never been a more important moment to reconnect with England’s historic places. Stately homes sit at the heart of the nation’s story but they are also among the sites that rely most on the public’s presence. A visit isn’t just a pleasant afternoon out; it is a direct contribution to their survival. Every ticket bought, every stroll through a garden, every cup of tea in a historic tearoom helps sustain the delicate chain of care that keeps these houses standing.
This year’s Heritage at Risk Register makes the stakes painfully clear. Too many remarkable sites are sliding into vulnerability; too many treasures sit closer to the point of no return than people realise. That is why our mission feels more urgent than ever. We exist to help people discover these extraordinary homes, some world-famous, others tucked quietly away, and to make it effortless to experience them. When you choose to visit a stately home through HeritageXplore, you’re not merely exploring history; you’re actively supporting the caretakers, craftspeople and volunteers who protect it.
Stately homes have survived fires, wars, financial crises and centuries of upheaval but they cannot survive indifference. Your visit is an act of preservation and a promise that these remarkable places will endure for generations to come.
