3 Oxfordshire heritage sites considered 'at risk'

The public body's Heritage at Risk Register for 2023 shows there were eight historic sites in Cherwell listed as at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development as of November 2023, when records were last updated.

These included two listed buildings, four monuments and two conservation areas.

The list “gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places”.

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While the register saw 159 new additions over the last year, 203 sites were removed for positive reasons such as repairs done or the overall management has been improved.

There were no Cherwell historic sites added to the register last year, but none were removed either.

In Cherwell, there were three historic sites determined to be in a very bad condition.

These included the ruins of Hampton Gay Manor House in the deserted village of Hampton Gay.

The Scheduled Monument and Grade II-listed building is the ruin of a late 16th century manor house which burnt down in 1887.

The ruin is in very poor condition, suffering from structural problems and with substantial vegetation growth.

A repair project to consolidate and stabilise the ruin is underway with an Environmental Land Management scheme.

Often described as a Cold War base 'frozen in time' RAF Upper Heyford was also found to be in a very bad condition.

In the late 1940s the airfield was identified as one that might accommodate United States bombers with the capability of attacking Eastern Europe with atomic weapons.

To fulfil this role the airfield was extensively reconstructed, with a longer runway, more extensive aircraft parking areas, new bombs stores, specialist maintenance hangars, and an increase in domestic accommodation.

During the 1960s its aircraft fulfilled a reconnaissance function regaining its nuclear deterrent role 1970.

With the end of the Cold War the USAF left in 1993. Today, its flying field is an increasingly rare example of an unaltered Cold War fast jet airbase.

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And Grimsbury near Banbury, which was first settled in the 6th century as a Saxon hamlet, was found to be in a bad condition.

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.

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.”