All the historic sites at risk around the Swindon area

Historic England’s latest Heritage at Risk Register provides an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places.

The public body, which is based in Swindon, shines a light on sites which are most in need of care – including a few close to home.

The register shows there were eight historic sites in Swindon listed as heritage at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development as of November 2023, when records were last updated.

These included one listed building and seven monuments.

The Grade II* listed building in question is the Mechanics Institute on Emlyn Square, which is deemed to be in a poor condition.

The Mechanics' Institute (Image: Swindon Borough Council)

The structure, which was in use between 1853 and 1855 but has been left vacant for many years and is currently owned by a commercial company, is described as an “outstanding example at the heart of the railway village”.

The public body notes that the shell of the building has been stabilised and managed internal access is once again possible.

A spokesperson added: “The Railway Village, of which the Mechanics forms the centrepiece, is now a Historic England Heritage Action Zone.

“An options appraisal for the future use of the building has now been completed and survey works to inform a project to restore the building are in progress.”

The remains of Holy Rood Church in Lawn, Swindon. (Image: Historic England)

The seven monuments highlighted as being at risk include the council-owned remains of Holy Rood Church in Lawn, Old Town, which are described as being in decline, in a condition that is “generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems”, and vulnerable to vandalism as reported last summer.

The site of a Roman town, west of Wanborough House, which multiple people own, is stable but its condition is "generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems" and it is vulnerable to plant growth.

A privately-owned longbarrow 700 metres north of Liddington Warren Farm is in decline, with "extensive significant problems" and vulnerable to arable clipping.

Two privately owned bowl barrows in the borough also appear on the register because they are in decline.

One on Hinton Downs in Bishopstone is said to be in a generally unsatisfactory condition with major localised problems', and vulnerable to extensive animal burrowing.

The other one, a kilometre west of Sheppard's Farm Dairy in Chiseldon, also has extensive significant problems and is vulnerable to badger burrows.

A privately-owned field system and earthwork enclosure on Burderop Down near Chiseldon and Ogbourne St George is vulnerable to vehicle damage and extensive erosion, categorised as in decline, and its condition is generally satisfactory but with significant localised problems.

Seven circles in Highworth are described as having extensive significant problems and vulnerable to arable ploughing.

Four of them are privately-owned, 150 metres northeast of Pickett's Copse, and in decline.

The other three, with mixed multiple owners, are 600 metres east of North Leaze Farm and stable.

Historic England chief executive Duncan Wilson said: “Protecting our heritage is so important.

“The Heritage at Risk programme shines a light on our historic sites most in need and can help to attract funding and help.

“After a quarter of a century of the Heritage at Risk Register, we are celebrating how many places have been saved and continue to find new ways to involve local people in caring for and enjoying their heritage.”

Around 6,800 historic sites have been rescued over the past 25 years – equivalent to around three-quarters of the entries on the original register from 1998.

The 2024 register saw 159 new additions over the last year but 203 sites were removed for positive reasons such as repairs done or the overall management has been improved.