HISTORIC England has released a list of sites across the country deemed 'at risk,' dozens of which are in south Cumbria. 

The Heritage at Risk programme identifies sites that are most at risk of being lost due to neglect, decay or development. 

The organisation assesses the condition of Grade I, II*, and II (places of worship and in London) buildings.  The register aims to inform communities about the condition of heritage assets in their neighbourhood. 

The Mail: The ruined sections of Millom Castle are impacted by sapling growthThe ruined sections of Millom Castle are impacted by sapling growth (Image: Andrew Woodhall, Creative Commons Licence)

Notable south Cumbrian sites include the ruined portions of Millom Castle, parts of which are Grade I listed.

The ruin, dating back to the early 14th century, is affected by sapling growth destabilising the stonework. Its condition is described as 'poor' and in 'slow decay, no solution agreed.' 

Gleaston Castle, near Aldingham, also dates back as far as the early 14th century, but it is now on a working farm.

In 2018 Historic England funded a condition survey and informed a sustainable management strategy, but the site is nonetheless at 'immediate risk of further rapid deterioration of loss of fabric, no solution agreed.' 

The Mail: The blast furnace at Backbarrow Ironworks. While some of the associated buildings remain on the list, Andrew said that the project was an example of Historic England and the developer working together to preserve heritageThe blast furnace at Backbarrow Ironworks. While some of the associated buildings remain on the list, Andrew said that the project was an example of Historic England and the developer working together to preserve heritage (Image: Chris Allen, Creative Commons Licence)

Arnside Tower is visible from busy hiking trails around Arnside Knott but the structure itself is on private land. Its condition is described as 'generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems' and 'declining.' 

Andrew Davidson, inspector of ancient monuments for Historic England, said: "The thing is is that in most cases somewhere like Gleaston and somewhere like Millom they are already well on the way to disrepair. Some of the towers have been a ruin for hundreds of years. 

READ MORE: New Millom visitor attraction sees work get underway

"Even something that is a ruin needs some form of maintenance and care."

This is because ruins will eventually return to nature or be developed, and the history and stories that monuments represent will be lost. 

The Mail: Arnside Tower lies on private land but is clearly visible from hiking trails. The tower's condition is 'generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems' according to Historic EnglandArnside Tower lies on private land but is clearly visible from hiking trails. The tower's condition is 'generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems' according to Historic England (Image: Joyen69, Creative Commons Licence)

He also said that in some cases, a historic site can be developed into an attraction that people want to see. 

Historic England gives advice and grants aid to communities and organisations in charge of heritage sites. Mr Davidson said an example of the organisation giving advice to stakeholders on how to develop heritage land while maintaining the 'core' of historic interest was at Backbarrow Ironworks. 

These are the sites labelled 'at risk': 

  • Church of St John, Waberthwaite
  • Prehistoric cairnfield on Birkby Fell, 360 metres south east of Raven Crag
  • Prehistoric cairnfield and associated field system south west of Birkby Fell, 750 metres north east of The Knott
  • Prehistoric cairnfield, hut circle settlement, field system, funerary cairn, and a medieval shieling on Birkby Fell west of Devoke Water
  • Millom Castle (ruined portions)
  • Prehistoric hut circle settlements, enclosure, cairnfields, funerary cairns, a dispersed medieval settlement, field system and kilns on Heathwaite Fell, near Broughton
  • Castle Hill, near Pennington
  • Church of St Mary of Furness, Duke Street, Barrow
  • Central Barrow
  • St George's Square, Barrow
  • Steamer Street Tenements, 2-12 Steamer Street and 1-13 Island Road, Barrow
  • Gleaston Castle, Gleaston
  • Newland Blast Furnace (Blacking Mill only)
  • Nibthwaite furnace (millpond)
  • Lowwood Gunpowder Works
  • Backbarrow Ironworks (unrepaired buildings including Pug Mill, storehouses and manager's house)
  • Wraysholme Tower
  • Arnside Tower
  • Hazelslack Tower
  • Beetham Hall (curtain wall and uninhabited portion)
  • Church of St Peter, Woodhouse Lane
  • Low Gatebeck gunpowder works, 540 metres south west of Gatebeck Farm
  • Church of St Anne, Meadowcroft, Ings
  • Round cairn 15 metres east of Hagg Gill, near Ambleside
  • Settlement on west slope of The Tongue, Troutbeck Park
  • Three round cairns 70 metres east of Rydal Beck
  • Cairns on Foul Scrow, Coniston
  • Church of Holy Trinity and St George, New Road, Kendal
  • Burneside Hall, pele tower and gatehouse, Hall Road, Burneside
  • Farfield Mill, Sedbergh