Historic England have released their annual report on the buildings most at risk. Listing churches, historic houses and a town centre the list lays out sites that are at risk of decline over 2025.
Each site is assessed on its condition, whether it is declining or improving, and what steps are being taken to maintain what makes them special. Locations are put on this list because Historic England deems there is a risk they can be lost.
In 2024 the list includes 25 sites, the same as in 2023, although the list is made up of a different array of locations. For example, former kitchen garden walls to Claremont house, Esher, have been removed for improvements.
Local teams from Historic England work with owners, friends groups, developers and other stakeholders to find imaginative solutions to protect sites and have them removed from the list.
Elmbridge:
1. The Belvedere, Claremont Park, Esher
Condion: Fair (unchanged since last year)
This mock castle, built in 1717 is in need of repair. Some Improvements have been made as part of its mission to bring it back into use as a key attraction of a Grade I Registered landscape of Claremont Park
The race curse makes up part of Brooklands Museum
(Image: Surrey Advertiser)
2. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, Elmbridge
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
This was the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit. Since being built in 1907 it has been used to produce aircrafts and now is part of a museum. Historic England is now working with stakeholders and significant progress is being made in reducing the risks to the track. However, further action is required.
3. Brooklands, Elmbridge
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
Historic England say this conservation area is improving and has a low level of vulnerability.
Epsom and Ewell:
Epsom town centre features on the list
(Image: Get Surrey)
4. Epsom Town Centre, Epsom – Epsom and Ewell
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
Epsom town centre is currently listed as being in poor condition, with the site deteriorating. However, Historic England say the area has a low vulnerability and its condition remains the same as last year.
5. Horton, Epsom:
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
This conservation area is listed as in poor condition by Historic England and deteriorating rather than improving.
Guildford:
6. Church of St Luke, Burpham Lane, Burpham:
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
Designed by Henry Woodyer in 1859, the church is at risk due to defective roof tiling and rainwater disposal goods. The repairs to the belfry were completed in May 2024, but other repairs are still to be completed.
7.Clandon Park, West Clandon – Guildford
Condition: Extensive significant problems of the registered park and garden ( Unchanged since last year)
Historic England say the park and garden is highly vulnerable and has significant problems. The listing applies only to broader estate and not the National Trust -managed house. Research work is underway to aid a Conservation Management Plan process to better understand the park’s significance.
8. Two Bowl barrows in Littleworth Clump, Seale and Sands – Guildford
Condition Generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems (new to the list)
These archaeological sites are considered to be of national importance. Historic England describes the condition of the site as generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems, with the main vulnerability coming from Scrub or tree growth.
Views of West Horsley Place
(Image: Surrey Advertiser)
9. West Horsley Place
This country house has its origins in the 15th Century and is the site of the BBC’s hit sitcom Ghosts, Historic England say that immediate structural remediations have been addressed and a phased programme of repairs is in progress.
Mole Valley:
10. Church of St John the Baptist, Church Lane, Abinger
Condition Poor (unchanged since last year)
Dating back to the 13th Century, this church virtually doubled in size in 1879. It is at risk due to defective rainwater goods and roofs and a phase of repairs has already been completed under the National Lottery Heritage Fund Grants for Places of Worship scheme,
11. Ashtead Park, Ashtead
Condition: Generally satisfactory but with significant localised problems (unchanged since last year)
This 17th Century Park has been broken up into two sections since 1920. Historic England believes a joint heritage-led approach should support the park’s significance and balance its landscape character.
12. Bell barrow in Deerleap Wood, Wotton – Mole Valley
Condition: Generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems (unchanged since last year)
This Scheduled monument is described as declining rather than improving. The condition of the site is described as generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems.
13. Anstiebury Camp, Capel
Condition: Generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems (unchanged since last year)
This large multivallate hillfort which is South East of Crockers Farm is primarily at risk from a scrub and tree growth.
Photo of Betchworth Castle in 2022
(Image: Surrey Live / Darren Pepe)
14. Ruins of Betchworth Castle, Reigate Road, Brockham
Condition: Fair (unchanged since last year)
This 17th Century house has gone under several repairs in 2013 and 2014. However a long section of the terrace is held up by tree roots and temporary geotextile fabric shoring which could fail. This needs to be addressed before it can be removed from the register.
15. Brockham Lime Kilns
Condition: Very Bad (unchanged since last year)
This site is listed by Historic England as at risk of immediate risk of further rapid deterioration if no solution is agreed. The site includes a disused eastern battery of eight kilns and is an important bat habitat. Parts of the Kiln remain supported by scaffolding.
16. Lime kilns at Betchworth Quarry, Betchworth
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
Three of the structures are at risk. A condition survey of the structures has been completed and sources of funding need to be secured.
Reigate and Banstead:
17. Alderstead (Merstham) Fort, Shepherd’s Hill, Reigate
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
This 19th Century is one of 13 constructed on the North Downs for the defence of London. Tree growth and poor drainage has caused problems.
Runnymede:
18. Woburn Farm, Addlestone
Condition: Extensive significant problems (unchanged since last year)
Little of the ornamental farm remains and Historic England say high levels of loss of historic design intention and character the park’s integrity needs to be assessed
Spelthorne:
Church of St Mary Magdalene, Squires Bridge Road, Littleton
(Image: Google)
19. Church of St Mary Magdalene, Squires Bridge Road, Littleton
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
The tiled roof of this medieval church is in poor condition and some of the paint is causing decay.
Tandridge:
20. Church of St Mary the Virgin, Church Lane, Oxted
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
This large medieval church is at risk due to deterioration of the stonework and render. The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Grants for Places of Worship grant-aided repairs to the chancel and aisles completed in 2018 but further repairs, including to the tower, are required.
21. Ruins at Bletchingley Castle, Bletchingley
Condition: Very bad (unchanged since last year)
Currently at risk due to some trees growing close to the fragile masonry of the house.
Waverly:
Church of St Peter and St Paul, The Street, Ewhurst
(Image: Google)
22. Church of St Peter and St Paul, The Street, Ewhurst
Condition: Poor (unchanged since last year)
This 12th Century church was largely rebuilt in 1838. Water coming through the roof has led to ceiling plaster falling. National Lottery Heritage Fund Grants for Places of Worship scheme repairs to the chancel, south transept and south nave slopes were completed in 2019, but the remaining roofs are in urgent need of repair.
23. Four bowl barrows 30m south east of Tilford Barrows: part of The Barrows round barrow cemetery, Tilford
Condition: Extensive significant problems (unchanged since last year)
This archaeology has been declining rather than improving due to Scrub and tree growth.
Woking:
Views of Brookwood Cemetery, including areas once covered by the London Necropolis Railway tracks
(Image: Surrey Advertiser – Grahame Larter)
24. Brookwood Cemetery, Brookwood
Condition: Generally satisfactory but with significant localised problems (unchanged since last year)
This large cemetery has its own railway opened in 1852 to bury London’s dead. Historic England say that planning specialist input is required to manage the significance, treescape, habitats, monuments and communal biographies as part of a commercial enterprise.
25. Brookwood Cemetery, Pirbright
Condition: Very bad (not on 2023 list)
This religious site has been given a vulnerability ranking of medium, but has been deemed as improving by Historic England.