England's Heritage Saved and Threatened: A Tug-of-War for Historic Sites

As of November 2025, England's heritage agency, Historic England, has revealed a mixed picture for the country's historic sites. On the positive side, the agency has successfully saved 129 endangered landmarks from neglect and decay over the past year. These include the Bruce Grove Victorian public toilets in London, which have been transformed into a community space, and the Augill Smelting Mill in the North Pennines, which has undergone conservation work.

However, the annual update to the heritage at-risk register also shows that several key historic sites are now under threat. These include Dr Jenner's Hut in Gloucestershire, the birthplace of vaccination, the Roman heating system on the Isle of Wight, and Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, which played a pivotal role in the development of the modern factory system.

On a brighter note, the agency has also reported the successful restoration of the Rockingham Kiln in Rotherham, which once produced flamboyant porcelain items for royalty and aristocracy. The kiln has now been removed from the at-risk register following repairs.