Preservation of St Margaret’s church ruins in West Raynham gets a big funding boost

The preservation of an ancient ruin and its churchyard has been given a huge boost thanks to a new grant.

The St Margaret’s in Ruins Conservation Trust (SMIRCT) has secured initial funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Raynham Ruins Centre of Excellence project.

This support marks a vital step toward conserving the iconic St Margaret’s church ruins and establishing a pioneering centre dedicated to heritage preservation.

With an initial grant of £74,445 for the development phase, SMIRCT will advance plans to secure a full Heritage Fund grant of £508,000, focusing on the conservation and revitalisation of the Norman-era landmark which members say is at risk of “irreversible damage”.

Situated in the heart of West Raynham and adjacent to Raynham Hall’s historic grounds, St Margaret’s is listed as a ‘Priority A’ on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register due to urgent need for structural stabilisation.

“This initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a vital step towards preserving this unique piece of history,” James Hickman, chair of SMIRCT, said.

“With the continued backing of National Lottery players, we’re laying the foundation to transform St Margaret’s into a community asset that will educate, inspire, and support the preservation of Norfolk’s many historic ruins.”

The Raynham Ruins Centre of Excellence will serve as a hub for conservation expertise, supporting the caretakers of more than 150 church ruins across Norfolk.

The project aims to protect both built and natural heritage, offering community programmes that foster skills, learning, and wellbeing opportunities.

As a safety precaution, the ruin will soon be temporarily reinforced with scaffolding and enclosed by fencing to protect visitors.

Conservation efforts will include urgent repairs to the most fragile sections, pending longer-term stabilisation of the ruins to secure St Margaret’s for future generations.