Historic England reveals Hampshire heritage sites saved

The 2023 Heritage at Risk Register has been announced with over 25 sites saved across the Southeast.

The register has been running for 25 years and has saved nearly 7,000 historic sites from ruin, it gives an annual snapshot of the health of historic buildings and places across England.

This year it has been revealed that Merdon Castle in Hursley and Brambridge House in Colden Common are among the 25 sites that have been saved in Southeast England.

Merdon Castle was built between 1129 and 1138 (Image: Historic England)Work to secure the remains of Merdon Castle was recently complete with Historic England £240,700 grant. Before work started the scheduled monument was overgrown, and stonework had become loose.

A protective layer of earth and grass was added to stabilise the Medieval motte and bailey castle along with other specialist repairs.

The castle was probably built between 1129 and 1138 by Henry de Blois during the reign of his brother, Stephen, the last Norman king of England.

Since its restoration Merdon Castle is now being used by Winchester University and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings to help students and specialists develop their skills.

Dr Monika Knul from the University said, “We’re delighted that, together with the owners and Historic England, we have been able to introduce Merdon Castle to our students through their study of archaeological field techniques. We’re excited to expand this programme so that students, and the monument itself, benefit in the long term.”

Brambridge House was built in 1762 (Image: Historic England)Brambridge House in Colden Common is a Grade II listed building that had been slowly deteriorating.

The Georgian country house was built in 1762 and was remodelled after a fire in 1872.

After the Second World War the house was converted into flats and since then had been slowly deteriorating before being added to the Heritage at Risk Register.

Now, due to the hard work of the current freeholders Brambridge House is close to its former glory.

Historic England work with local communities, charities, owners and funders to get these historic buildings restored safely.

Tom Foxall, regional director for London and South East said: "Local communities are at the heart of finding solutions for heritage at risk and we are dedicated to supporting them so they can benefit from even more historic places being removed from the at-risk Register.”