From 14th century churches to historic town centres, Hertfordshire has plenty of old buildings worth going to see, but some of them are at serious risk.
Historic England, the public body that looks after England's historic environment, oversees a register of listed buildings, sites and conservation areas it deems 'at-risk'.
Among them are 13 Hertfordshire buildings we could be at risk of losing forever.
1. Romano-British small town and late Iron Age settlement in Baldock
Assessment Type - Archaeology
Condition - Generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems
Principal Vulnerability - Arable ploughing
Trend – Declining
2. Church of St Mary in Baldock
A prominently sited parish church dating from the 13th century, with 14th and 15th century alterations and additions.
The nave and south aisle roofs leak, while some flint facework on south aisle and to south porch is loose. Repair works commenced in summer 2022 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Assessment Type - Place of worship
Condition - Fair
Priority - F - Repair scheme in progress
3. Ruins of Church of St Etheldreda in Chesfield
A former 14th century church, St Etheldreda was part demolished in 1750 and is now a roofless ruin in a private garden. A 2017 survey found slow deterioration and wall facings being lost.
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Poor
Priority - C - Slow decay and no solution agreed
4. Rectory Lane and St Nicholas in Graveley
Assessment Type - Conservation area
Condition - Fair
Vulnerability - High
Trend – Deteriorating
5. North Hertfordshire Masonic Lodge in Letchworth
Built in 1907 as a residential school of ethics and psychology based on Arts and Crafts principles, the building is currently being used as the North Hertfordshire Masonic Lodge, but with much of it unused.
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Very bad
Priority - B - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric. Solution agreed but not yet implemented
6. Town Square in Stevenage
Assessment Type - Conservation area
Condition - Poor
Vulnerability - Medium
Trend – Deteriorating
7. Knebworth House
The home of the Lytton family since 1490, the country house and its gothic artwork is now extensively deteriorating.
Despite a continuing campaign of repairs with grants from Historic England, much work remains to be done.
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition – Poor
Priority - A - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric. No solution agreed
8. West Barn at Rectory Farm in Pirton
A tithe barn built late 15th century or early 16th century, the building is now vacant and in need of major repairs.
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Poor
Priority - C - Slow decay. No solution agreed
9. The Temple at Brocket Hall in Welwyn Garden City
An 18th century garden temple, the building has suffered from excess damp and significant damage and loss to interior plasterwork and fittings.
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Very bad
Priority - A - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric. No solution agreed
10. Paine Bridge at Brocket Hall in Welwyn Garden City
Classical bridge built of stone to designs of James Paine in 1772. Stonework facing has failed on all four bridge abutments and exposed the brick core. Balustrading has been partly dislodged.
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Poor
Priority - A - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric. No solution agreed
11. Gates, lodges and screen wall at Brocket Hall in Welwyn Garden City
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Very bad
Priority - A - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric. No solution agreed
12. Little Cassiobury and former stable block in Watford
A late 17th century house, the building was last occupied as offices and has been empty for many years.
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Poor
Priority - A - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric. No solution agreed
13. The Benedictine Priory of St Mary in St Albans
Assessment Type - Building or structure
Condition - Poor
Priority - D - Slow decay. Solution agreed but not yet implemented
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here