The turnaround of a former Victorian pub in St John’s Wood — from years of decay to a celebrated restoration — is being highlighted in a new appeal to save endangered buildings across the country.
The Victorian Society is compiling its top ten endangered buildings list, which is now in its 20th year. Griff Rhys Jones is president of the society, which raises awareness of under-threat Victorian and Edwardian landmarks before they disappear forever.
The list was launched in 2006 and has played a key role in protecting many buildings over the decades, including two north London gems.
Crocker’s Folly is an ornate Grade II* listed pub in St John’s Wood which was nominated in 2007 after years of neglect. Designed by architect Charles Worley in 1896, the boozer has a Renaissance style interior with chandeliers and more than 50 types of marble.
It is named after Frank Crocker, who built the pub believing he had a tip-off about the site of the new terminus of the Great Central Railway — which turned out to be half a mile away at Marylebone station, leading to Crocker’s ruin.
Following its nomination, planning permission was granted in 2011 to convert the upper floors into flats — followed by approval in 2014 for restoration of the ground floor. It now operates as Lebanese restaurant Maroush.
Abney Park Cemetery Chapel in Stoke Newington was listed in 2014 after falling into disrepair by the 1960s. Designed in 1840 by William Hosking, the Gothic style, Grade II-listed chapel was taken back under the management of Hackney Council in 2015 in conjunction with Abney Park Trust.
After funding from Hackney Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, a major restoration project was completed in 2024 and the chapel now serves as a community events space and wedding venue.
Mr Rhys Jones said: “The nominations every year make incredible reading and have been fascinating as well as distressing. We need more. You may well know more. Please help. The media interest in our Top Ten is always strong. It helps the society and it helps the buildings and it helps the general heritage cause, across the year.”
Over the decades, railway stations, factories, churches, theatres, pubs, and schools have been nominated with many since restored or repurposed. The Victorian Society has also played a part in rescuing London landmarks such as St Pancras station and Smithfield Market.
Anyone can nominate a building for the list but it should be Victorian or Edwardian — dating between 1837 and 1914. Both listed and unlisted buildings will be considered and submissions should be emailed to media@victoriansociety.org.uk and include the building’s name, location, approximate date of construction, listing status if known, a brief description of its history or architectural interest, the nature of the threat it faces, and at least one good-quality photograph.
The deadline for nominations is January 4, 2027 and the 20th edition of the Top Ten Endangered Buildings list will be released in April 2027.
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