London’s Heritage at Risk: Pergola Added, Key Sites Saved

Historic England‘s recently published Heritage at Risk Register 2025 highlights 21 new additions in London, bringing the total number of at-risk sites in the capital to 604. This register serves as a crucial tool, identifying historic places that require urgent protection and conservation efforts to ensure their survival for future generations. The inclusion of sites on the register signifies that their materials or structural integrity are deteriorating, posing a risk to their historical and cultural value.

A prominent new addition is Hampstead Heath’s Hill Garden Pergola. Constructed from 1906 and opened to the public in 1963, its beloved structure is now suffering from material deterioration. Historic England and Camden Council are collaborating to develop a comprehensive conservation management plan for this iconic landmark. Another significant addition is the 19th-century Conservatory at Chiswick House and Gardens, which urgently needs repairs to its glass and timber components to prevent further decay.

Despite these challenges, the report also brings positive news, underscoring the benefits of proactive heritage conservation. In 2024/2025, Historic England allocated £782,000 in grants for support and repairs to London sites on the register, leading to the successful restoration and removal of 20 sites from the list. These successful interventions demonstrate the efficacy of collaborative efforts. Notable examples of saved heritage include Upminster Tithe Barn, which saw its thatched roof fully restored, and a decorative subterranean toilet and its associated above-ground building in Bruce Grove, now imaginatively converted into a cafe and community hub. Other success stories include a Grade II listed former weavers’ cottage in Shoreditch and the ‘Leaning Woman’ statue in Hammersmith.

Co-CEOs Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE emphasize that safeguarding heritage is not merely about preservation but also about celebrating the benefits of reusing historic buildings. They advocate for turning these sites into vibrant places of local connection and joy, illustrating how partnership with communities can drive positive, sustainable change, thereby protecting our shared heritage for the future.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/historic-england-heritage-at-risk-register-2025)