Norman conquest castle and Dickens chalet among sites added to heritage at risk register

William the Conquerer-built Hastings Castle and Swiss-style writing retreat in Kent two of nearly 200 additions to list

A castle built by William the Conquerer, a Swiss-style chalet where Charles Dickens wrote and a swathe of fire-blasted moorland are among sites that have been added to Historic England’s heritage at risk register.

Almost 200 historic places have been added to the already extensive list, including Hastings Castle in East Sussex, Dickens’ wooden writing retreat in Kent and Fylingdales Moor in North Yorkshire, which was devastated by a wildfire in the summer.

Some of the stress on the sites is being put down to the climate emergency, with hotter summers and stormier winters placing some of England’s most treasured places in greater peril.