Battlefields

The Register of Historic Battlefields was established by English Heritage to encourage local authorities, owners and others to understand the importance of these sites. Currently there are 43 battlefields on the register.

While this designation introduces no additional statutory controls, one of its primary objectives is to encourage policies and other mechanisms that ensure that change and development affecting battlefields is sensitive and appropriate.

Another aim is to support initiatives that use improved access, interpretation and education to give a better understanding of battlefields.

The risk of loss of historical significnace to registered battliefields has been assessed against landscape readability, landscape features, archaeological integrity and ambience. 

The battlefields of Worcester and Northampton have been crossed off the ‘at risk’ register since 2008. Bunding on the east side of the London Road part of the Northampton site has been removed, improving the readability of the registered area. The condition has therefore improved and the site is considered stable, taking it out of our ‘at risk’ status.  Further evaluation of the Worcester site led to discussions and agreement that the battlefield has a stable trajectory rather than declining, thereby taking it our of our ‘at risk’ status. 

Newburn Ford in Tyne and Wear, however, has been added to the register this year, as a result of piecemeal, peripheral development.

Search for battlefields on English Heritage's 2009 Heritage at Risk register.