Historic Hastings Landmark Added To Heritage At Risk Register

An iconic Hastings landmark has been added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register 2025, as efforts continue to secure its future.

St Mary in the Castle, set into the cliff below Hastings Castle and overlooking the seafront, was built in the 1820s as part of Joseph Kay’s Pelham Crescent development.

The striking neoclassical building, with its grand Ionic portico, has stood at the heart of the town’s architectural heritage for nearly 200 years.

Once a church, St Mary in the Castle became a popular arts and performance venue in the late 1990s and 2000s following a major restoration. However, it closed again in 2022 and has remained empty since.

Now, Historic England has added the building to its Heritage at Risk Register, acknowledging the urgent repairs and renewed vision needed to bring the site back into community use.

Victoria Conheady, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place at Hastings Borough Council, said:

“St Mary in the Castle is a key building in the regeneration of our town and we are committed to securing its future.

“We welcome working with Historic England to raise its profile and are actively looking for a partner who shares our vision for this incredible building — one that celebrates its heritage and creates a cultural hub for residents and visitors alike.”

A new local group, St Mary in the Castle Drivers, has been formed to work alongside the council to explore future uses for the venue.

The addition to the register is seen as a positive step — helping to attract funding and national attention to safeguard one of Hastings’ most significant historic spaces for generations to come.