As 2025 draws to a close, Historic England has unveiled a fascinating array of newly protected heritage sites, shining a spotlight on the country’s rich and varied past. This year, a total of 199 sites have been added to the National Heritage List for England, with 27 of those located in the South West alone. The announcement, made on December 11, 2025, celebrates not just architectural marvels and ancient relics, but also the stories and communities that have shaped England through the centuries.
Among the standout additions in the South West are two Arts and Crafts gems, a centuries-old Quaker burial ground, a shipwreck of rare distinction, and a much-loved Cornish tower that’s twice defied the encroaching sea. But these are just a handful of the 19 remarkable and unusual sites protected nationally this year, ranging from a Neolithic cairn in the Yorkshire Dales to the dazzling Renold Building at the University of Manchester, and even to quirky Victorian guideposts in Cheshire.
One of the most evocative stories comes from Cornwall’s Bude Storm Tower, affectionately known as the “Pepperpot.” Built in 1835 and inspired by Athens’ ancient Tower of the Winds, the octagonal tower has been a sentinel on the cliffs for nearly two centuries. But nature’s relentless assault forced its first relocation in 1881, and again in 2023-2024, when the tower was moved 120 meters inland to escape the threat of collapse from coastal erosion. According to Historic England, the tower’s listing was amended this year to reflect its new location and construction details, a testament to both human ingenuity and the perils of climate change.
“Britain’s heritage is as varied as it is brilliant, with each of these buildings playing a part in shaping our national story over the centuries,” said Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross. “This year alone we have protected 199 heritage sites, from neolithic cairns in the Yorkshire Dales to the fabulous Catholic Cathedrals in the heart of Liverpool. I’m proud that we’re safeguarding our rich history so future generations can continue to enjoy it.”
The South West’s new listings also celebrate the enduring beauty of the Arts and Crafts movement. The summerhouse at Upper Cobb House in Lyme Regis, Dorset, designed by Arnold Bidlake Mitchell, has been granted Grade II status. Overlooking Lyme Bay and nestled among terraced gardens, the summerhouse is praised for its simplicity and its harmonious relationship to its setting. Nearby, Sharlands House in Braunton, Devon, completed in 1912, stands as a bold Georgian revival residence designed by Godfrey A. E. Schwabe for the artist Thomas A. Falcon. Inside, visitors can still admire marble flooring, original panelling, and decorative panels by Falcon himself—a living testament to a period when artistic and scientific communities thrived in the countryside.
Historic England’s Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, Co-CEOs, emphasized the significance of these new protections: “These newly protected places demonstrate the remarkable diversity of England’s heritage. They connect us to the people and events that shaped our communities. From ancient burial sites to shipwrecks and wartime defences to post-modernist buildings, street furniture and Arts and Crafts gardens, these sites reveal the fascinating history that surrounds us all.”
History runs deep at the Quaker Burial Ground in Lower Hazel, South Gloucestershire, one of the earliest such sites in England. Established in 1656, it has been in continuous use for over 365 years, reflecting the Quaker tradition of simplicity and humility. The site’s modest markers and boundary walls stand in quiet contrast to more ornate Anglican cemeteries, a reminder of a time when nonconformists faced exclusion from the established church.
Meanwhile, off the coast of Dorset, the Pin Wreck lies 27 meters underwater—a silent relic of the Victorian era. Believed to be Yard Craft 8, a 19th-century steam mooring lighter lost in 1903, it’s the only known surviving example of its kind. Mooring lighters like this one were critical to harbor operations, laying and recovering the heavy chains and anchors that kept ships secure. Historic England recommended the wreck for protection after archaeological surveys by Bournemouth University revealed its exceptional rarity and intact Victorian equipment.
This year’s listings also include sites that underscore the social history of England. In Birmingham, the Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club boathouse and boating lake—built in 1933 by the Cadbury family as part of an unemployment relief scheme—earned Grade II status. The boathouse and its distinctive teardrop-shaped lake are not only architectural curiosities but also a nod to the Cadbury family’s commitment to worker welfare during tough times. Only 11 pre-war model boating clubhouses remain in England, making Bournville’s an especially rare survivor.
Elsewhere, newly listed sites range from the Renold Building at the University of Manchester, known for its post-war modernist flair, to the Adams Heritage Centre in Cambridgeshire, a former Victorian ironmongers and local trade time capsule. In Essex, the listing of coal duty boundary posts recalls the tax that funded London’s post-Great Fire reconstruction, while the gothic style Broxwood Court Garden Chapel in Herefordshire and a tin tabernacle church in Essex further enrich the year’s diverse roster.
Some sites have seen their status upgraded, such as the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, now recognized as Grade I, and Draper’s Windmill in Kent, which rose from Grade II to Grade II*. These upgrades reflect a growing appreciation for the architectural and cultural value of sites that might once have been overlooked.
In total, this year’s additions to the National Heritage List included 173 new listings, 21 scheduled monuments, and five parks and gardens, with 129 amendments to existing entries. The List itself is the official register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England—a living document that grows richer each year.
Historic England isn’t keeping these stories to itself. Through the Missing Pieces Project, the public is invited to share memories, photographs, drawings, and even audio recordings related to these places. “The stories of these historic places are still being written—and they won’t be complete until you share your memories and first-hand experiences of these gems,” the organization encourages. Contributions can be submitted online, helping to weave together a fuller tapestry of England’s heritage for future generations.
This year’s listings offer a vivid reminder that history isn’t just found in textbooks or museum exhibits—it’s etched into the buildings, landscapes, and even the shipwrecks that surround us. As Historic England continues to safeguard these treasures, the invitation is clear: everyone has a piece of the story to tell.
