A historic monument damaged by erosion has been added to a list of at-risk heritage landmarks.

Dane John Mound is a prominent feature in the Dane John Gardens in Canterbury, but Historic England says following huge visitor numbers the structure is in need of significant repairs.

As well as corroding the archaeological integrity of the hill, erosion towards the top risks undermining the Grade II-listed Simmons memorial.

It is one of 15 sites across the south east added to the body’s Heritage at Risk register this year – while two others in Kent have been “saved” and removed from the register.

The mound is the remains of a medieval motte and bailey castle constructed under William the Conqueror’s rule, soon after the Norman invasion of 1066.

The name Dane John may derive from a corruption of the French word ‘donjon’, meaning ‘keep’.

It is understood to have been an ideal site for a castle, protected on two sides by the earlier Roman defensive wall.

And it is also believed the motte was built on top of an already-existing burial mound from the Roman period.

The site was later abandoned in favour of a new, stone castle built nearby in the late 11th century – where the ruins of Canterbury Castle still stand today.

The Simmons memorial was constructed to commemorate the generosity of James Simmons who much improved the gardens of Dane John in 1790 and the structure was put up in 1803.

Dane John Gardens is included in Levelling Up Fund money recently awarded to Canterbury City Council.

Historic England says it is now working with the council's engineers to protect the mound.

Initial proposals for the work have been shared and more detailed plans are being worked on.

Other historic Kent buildings - including Sheerness Dockyard Church in Sheppey - have been removed from the Heritage at Risk Register thanks to £9.5m funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The site was engulfed in flames and burned down to rubble after a huge blaze in May 2001.

But after two decades of being left to rot without a roof, the building was overhauled and turned into an enterprise centre named Island Works.

Restoration work included dismantling the entire clocktower with every stone and brick sorted and labelled before reconstruction.

Will Palin, chair of the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust, said: “Dockyard Church now stands as proof that even our most battered, desperate and seemingly hopeless heritage treasures can be brought back to life if there is a compelling vision – and the energy and ambition to carry the project through.

“I feel astonishingly proud to have been involved in what is a once-in-a-lifetime regeneration project.”

Murston Old Church in Sittingbourne, listed as a scheduled monument, has also been taken off the register after the former derelict ancient church was restored to life as a community centre.

The hub, known as Murston Heart, is a £1 million project at the heart of the area’s grounds and comprises six purpose-built studios.

The block is designed specifically for creative businesses and is available to rent on short-term leases or for hire on an hourly, daily or weekly basis.

Only the central chancel remains of the original medieval church built between 1375 and 1550.

The restoration work revealed that the east wall dates from the 12th century including evidence of blocked up lancet windows.

The rest of the church survives as buried archaeological remains.

Sadly, in the past the building had been the victim of heritage crime.

Murston All Saints Trust stepped up, working with the local community to shape a new future for the site as Murston Heart.

The chancel is now at the centre of the hub and has been conserved.

The former graveyard is being used as a green oasis for wildlife and Murston Old Church has a new lease of life as The Chancel Gallery.

John Nightingale, chair of the Murston All Saints Trust, said: “It was a long haul to get here, but it is fantastic to have launched the Murston Heart Creative Community Hub.

“We are hugely grateful for the support of many donors, but especially to Historic England, not only for financial support but also for having the vision to see that the future of the medieval chancel would be secured by the new building which has been designed to sit sensitively alongside it.”

In total in England, there are 4,871 entries on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2023 – 48 fewer than in 2022.

Arts and heritage minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: "For a quarter of a century, the Heritage at Risk Register has helped to focus efforts to preserve cherished sites across the country.

“It is heartening to see that so many sites have had their futures secured and have been taken off the Register over the past year thanks to the hard work of Historic England and local people.

“I look forward to the new additions to the Register receiving similar care and attention so that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from our rich heritage for years to come."