In 1998 English Heritage launched their Buildings at Risk register, a list of 1,500 Grade 1 and Grade 2 properties, including scheduled ancient monuments. This was the result of English Heritage’s concern that many of Britain’s historic buildings were in danger of crumbling away and being lost to the Nation.

Since May 1998, Codnor Castle has been on the Castles of Britain at Risk register with a rating of 5. This means that since 1998 Codnor Castle has been in immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric- yet nothing has been done to stop this.

For some time now, we have been monitoring Codnor Castle and its deterioration, which is of great concern. Therefore, we formed the Codnor Castle Preservation Society to stop the Castle from falling into further disrepair and to promote Codnor Castle as a major site of historical importance.

Our first aim is to ensure that the remains of Codnor Castle are consolidated and made safe to stop it from falling into further decay. UK Coal Mining Ltd, the landowners, are under a legal obligation to carry out this consolidation work commencing in the summer 2007.

Our main goal is that the Castle will be reopened to the public, so that visitors can once again walk among the walls of Codnor Castle safely, and to ensure that our local heritage is preserved for generations to come.

Patron

The patron of the Codnor Castle Preservation Society, Sir Humphry Wakefield Bt. of Chillingham Castle Northumberland, feels that the preservation of Codnor Castle is of such historic importance; he has agreed to become our patron and is assisting us in our endeavours. The Hon. Lady Wakefield is a direct descendant of the Greys of Codnor Castle. Lord Wakefield has already restored Chillingham Castle in Northumberland where he resides. He also rebuilt another family castle in Ireland, Lough Cultra Castle.