As part of its Coastal Conservation Appeal, English Heritage has identified the six most vulnerable sites as climate change intensifies coastal erosion. It is appealing for money to repair walls and improve defences against storms and more powerful waves.

“It seems to be that the whole natural dynamics of the coastline in some places have been accelerated by climate change,” Rob Woodside, English Heritage’s estates director, told BBC News. (photo: English Heritage)

Part of one of the sites, Hurst Castle in Hampshire, collapsed days before planned work to stabilise the site in February last year, after the sea exposed and undercut its foundations. While stabilisation of the damaged section has taken place, the sea walls around the Tudor fort urgently need repairing and strengthening, the Guardian reported.

These are the six sites that English Heritage says are most at risk:

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall – This historic site, inextricably connected with the legend of King Arthur, has a long history of erosion with the 13th-century castle falling into the sea since the 14th-century.

Piel Castle, Cumbria – Set on a low-lying island around half a mile from the coast in Morecambe Bay, 14th-century Piel Castle was built to guard Barrow-in-Furness against pirates and Scots raiders. Today, the castle’s keep and masonry defences are both at risk from erosion due to rising sea levels.

Bayard’s Cove Fort, Devon – For 500 years, this Tudor fort has guarded the narrow entrance to the Dart Estuary as the last line of defence to protect Dartmouth against enemy ships.

Garrison Walls, Scilly – Built to strengthen the island’s defences after the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the Garrison Walls are one of England’s most remarkable coastal defences.

Hurst Castle, Hampshire – Built by Henry VIII at the seaward end of a coastal spit, Hurst Castle is one of the most advanced artillery fortresses in England. However, its position at the entrance to the Solent also makes it extremely vulnerable.

Calshot Castle, Hampshire – This picturesque fort, built by Henry VIII to defend the passage to Southampton, sits just down the coast from Hurst Castle and is also built upon a vulnerable short spit in the Solent.

This story was covered widely, including the Daily Telegraph [paywall], the Guardian, Daily Mail and BBC News.

The news release from English Heritage can be read here.

Further information on English Heritage’s appeal and the six castles can be found here.