8 remarkable historic sites granted protection

The protected sites range from a Neolithic burial mound dating to 3400 BC in the Yorkshire Dales to the Pin Wreck in Dorset, an exceptionally rare shipwreck lost in 1903.  

Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, who are both CEOs of Historic England, said: “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.”

Several of the sites welcome groups to visit, or can be seen free of charge in the area. 

1. Gardens at Great Ruffins

The garden at Great Ruffins (pictured above) in Wickham Bishop, Essex was created in 1903 by architect and designer Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo. It is the only surviving garden known to be of his design and is a rare example of an Arts and Crafts suburban landscape.

The gardens feature informal woodland walks and countryside views, along with many original features including clipped yew hedges, a cedar avenue, garden rooms, a sunken rockery, and a bowling green. Public access is limited to special, pre-booked, or specific open days, often during the summer. 

2. Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been upgraded to Grade I listed, placing it among the most important buildings in England. The building was constructed between 1962 and 1967 and was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd.

The cathedral’s design breaks from tradition, with worshippers seated around the central altar. It is home to examples of post-war liturgical artwork, including works by William Mitchell, Elizabeth Frink and Margaret Traherne. Groups are welcome for guided tours to explore the Cathedral’s rich history, art, and architecture.

3. Bude Storm Tower

Bude Storm Tower in Cornwall was inspired by the ancient Tower of the Winds in Athens and affectionately known as ‘the Pepperpot’ due to its distinctive shape, the tower has been saved from the threat of coastal erosion and has had its entry amended to reflect its new location.

Overlooking Bude Bay, the grand reopening of the tower took place on the 26th March 2024, with a time capsule sealed into the floor. It is part of the 1.5 mile Bude Heritage Trail which takes around an hour to walk. Groups can discover more about the history of the tower at the Storm Tower Exhibition at the Bude Castle Heritage Centre, open daily from 10am 

4. Draper’s Windmill

Based in Margate, Draper’s Windmill was built in 1843 and continues to run as a working smock mill with its rare surviving internal machinery. The windmill is open for public visits on Sunday afternoons from the start of May until the end of September. 

Groups can get in touch to visit outside of these times and get a tour by volunteers to see the workings of the historic windmill. 

5. Walled garden at Glemham House

The walled garden stands to the north of Glemham House in east Suffolk and was constructed between 1814 and 1823. The garden features crossing paths, a central basin and two glasshouses at the northern end with lean-to buildings behind them.

Glemham Hall has a programme of house tours with family member Mrs Lavinia Wells as the guide. The tour takes visitors from the ground floor right up to the largely untouched servant quarters in the attics and outside to the gardens, featuring the walled rose garden, herbaceous garden, an avenue of Irish Yews and a Summerhouse.

6. Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club

Located in the garden village of Bournville, Birmingham, the club introduces people to radio sailing and model boats and meets on Sunday mornings for racing and Wednesday mornings for informal practice and racing. 

Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club is one of only 11 pre-war model boating clubhouses remaining in England. Visitors to the area can watch races taking place on the lake and find out more about the hobby for free.

7. Lumps Fort and Practice Battery

Lumps Fort on Southsea Island, Portsmouth was originally a 16th-century defence against French attacks and was rebuilt in the 18th century with a practice battery added later in the 1860s. Since the 1950s it has been a public garden and model village and welcomes visitors to see crafted buildings, tiny towns, and quirky scenes.

Other nearby attractions include the D-Day Story and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which both welcome groups for guided tours and free flow visits.

8. Garden at Tudor Croft, Guisborough, Tees Valley

The garden, created from 1934 for industrialist Ronald Crossley, is a rare survival of an inter-war suburban garden in a relaxed Arts and Crafts style. Designed to complement the family home, Tudor Croft garden remains largely intact, with the house overlooking the garden and the North Yorkshire Moors.

Open on select dates throughout the year, the highlight is the Gnome Garden. Hand-crafted terracotta ornaments by potter and sculptor Walter Scott, including elves, gnomes playing instruments, pixies, birds and animals are scattered throughout the garden - all produced at the Commondale brickworks.