Charlton House is added to Historic England’s ‘At Risk Register’
This week Historic England has revealed its Heritage at Risk Register 2024. Charlton House, a Grade I Jacobean Mansion in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, has been added. It is one of 26 new additions in London. This register gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places. It helps to ensure they can be protected.
Charlton House was built for Prince Henry, son of James I, in 1607. It is one of the finest examples of Jacobean architecture in England. Historic England have advised that the House has been placed at risk, due to the bad condition of the roof, which is allowing water ingress, and impacting the use of rooms.
Charlton House is working closely with Historic England regarding the future maintenance of the roof and to secure funding for some urgent repairs and preservation efforts. The cost of a full repair would be £2 million. The inclusion on the national list opens up important opportunities for funding and expertise.
Charlton House is over 400 years’ old. It was bought by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in 1925, and they managed it as a community centre until 2014, when the Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust was founded to look after some of the Heritage Assets of the borough and provide public access. The House is currently open to the public, and hosts events for the community, private hires and an education programme.
The Trust have an active 10-year programme of works and maintenance, to look after the assets in its care. A full assessment of the roof was carried out in 2021. It the last year, works at Charlton House included the first stage of emergency repairs to the roof, to ensure that the main function rooms were kept in use, and leaks were stopped, alongside internal decoration. New heating was installed to replace that from the 1970s, the lift was placed back into working order, and outdoor and roof lighting was repaired.
Janet Denne, CEO, said ‘Charlton House is an important building, both for the community as a hub, and nationally, as a beautiful example of a rare Jacobean building. We are pleased that Historic England have recognised its significance and we plan to work with them to improve the situation. Our aim is to secure the House for generations to come’.
For further information contact our Media team, who will be happy to add them to our mailing list where we will be keeping any interested parties informed of any details regarding this project or discuss plans in more detail.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help conserve and protect the beautiful grounds of Charlton House, why not Volunteer with us? Contact our Volunteering team to learn more about how you can get involved.
ABOUT ROYAL GREENWICH HERITAGE TRUST
Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust is a registered charity, formed in 2014 to look after key structures, objects, and historic records within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Assets in the Trust’s care include Charlton House & Gardens, Charlton Assembly Rooms, Tudor Barn, and the Museum Collections & Archive of the Royal Greenwich, as well as memorials across the Borough. Its aim is to ensure the future of the Royal Greenwich’s rich heritage whilst bringing that heritage to life for everyone, through exhibitions, tours, walks and activities.
Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust
E: office@rght.org.uk
