Endangered Buildings - Parndon Hall hospital site Harlow

Parndon Hall, located in Harlow on Hamstel Road, has been named on the Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings List for 2026.

The Grade II-listed building, believed to have been designed by Joseph Clarke in 1867, was originally built for Loftus Arkwright, great-grandson of the industrial pioneer Sir Richard Arkwright.

It features an exceptional decorative scheme by his wife, Elizabeth Arkwright, whose artwork adorns ceilings, doors, and wall panels throughout the house.

Parndon Hall from the green (Image: Alex Barty)

The house later passed into institutional use. Acquired by Harlow Development Corporation in 1953, it served successively as a school and offices before being taken on by the nearby Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The hospital has previously saved the building from demolition and adapted it for use as a training centre, library and skills facility.

Griff Rhys Jones, president of the Victorian Society, said: "Grrr. Come on Harlow. This is a worthy building. To just stick it to one side and let it rot is such a waste of a valuable resource. My dad worked at the Alexandra Hospital. I lived in Harlow as a kid.

"This could be an asset instead of derelict and should be."

Elizabeth Arkwright’s paintings, which include classical figures, seasonal allegories, and scenes of social life, reflect a rare and highly skilled body of work by a female artist. Her artistry is believed to be the result of formal training, possibly connected to Sir Edwin Landseer.

Parndon Hall is a rare example of a Victorian house featuring a significant decorative scheme by a woman. The paintings have faced a difficult history.

Some were whitewashed in the late 19th century, only to be rediscovered and restored after the Second World War. Others remain hidden beneath layers of overpainting.

Despite their rarity, the building and its interiors now face significant risk.

After flooding in 2024, repairs were made to the roof and chimneys, but the building was subsequently vacated and is now only used for storage.

Concerns have grown over the condition of the artwork, with temperature and humidity fluctuations—possibly worsened by a new heating system—posing a threat to the preservation of the paintings.

Parndon Hall, now isolated within the Princess Alexandra Hospital campus, lacks any active use that acknowledges its historic and artistic value.

The Victorian Society is calling for a full professional assessment of Elizabeth Arkwright’s paintings, including those still concealed, and for a clear conservation strategy.

The organisation also emphasises the need for a sensitive new use for the building that secures both its structure and interiors.

James Hughes, director of the Victorian Society, said: "Parndon Hall is not just an important Victorian house, but contains a rare and highly significant body of work by a female artist that deserves national recognition.

"Without urgent intervention, both the building and these remarkable interiors are at risk. A clear plan is needed now to conserve and celebrate this unique heritage asset."

The Top Ten Endangered Buildings List for 2026 features other notable Victorian and Edwardian structures across England and Wales, including the Tees Transporter Bridge, Hackney Borough Disinfecting Station, New Market Hall in Bridgnorth, and the Derby School of Art.

Parndon Hall is the only building from the East of England to appear on this year’s list. The Victorian Society’s list is based on public nominations, highlighting buildings of industrial, religious, domestic, and civic value dating between 1837 and 1914.