Historic sites in Oxford at risk, new figures show

There were over a hundred buildings and sites across the country added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register for 2023, which “gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places”.

The public body said the programme shines a light on historic sites most in need and has brought local people together in caring for and enjoying their heritage.

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

Minchery Farmhouse in Littlemore in Oxford, which was Grade II-listed in 1963, was determined to be in a poor condition.

The 15th century building, which was the dormitory of Littlemore Priory, was reconstructed around 1600.

It was later a farmhouse, a pub and a country club.

The two-storey building with attics and a stair tower has been vacant since 2013.

According to Historic England, the building has suffered from heritage crime and longstanding lack of maintenance.

No solutions for its future are currently in place.

One of the oldest churches in Oxford, the Church of St Thomas the Martyr, was also found to be in poor condition.

Dating from 1190 it is named after St Thomas Becket who was murdered while praying in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170.

Throughout its 830-year history, St Thomas’s has seen an array of colourful vicars of the parish and worshippers.

Most notable among them is Robert Burton, author of The Anatomy of Melancholy, who was Vicar from 1618 until his death in 1640.

In 2022 the church launched an urgent appeal to build a solid financial base to save the church, beginning with a drive to raise £30,000 to repair the roof.

Historic England said 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.

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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.”

Arts and heritage minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “I look forward to the new additions to the register receiving similar care and attention so that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from our rich heritage for years to come.”