The Red List
of Endangered Crafts
From blacksmithing to basketry, from weaving to woodturning, we have an incredible range of heritage craft skills in the UK and some of the best craftspeople in the world. But many of these skills are in the hands of individuals who have been unable to make provision to pass them on.
The Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017, was the first report of its kind to rank traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation, based on intangible cultural heritage safeguarding principles, led by Heritage Crafts, the only UK UNESCO-accredited NGO working primarily in the domain of traditional craftsmanship.
Donate to save an endangered craft (£5 for the 5th edition)
The list attracted extensive media coverage both in the UK and abroad, shining a light on heritage craft practices under threat from a number of identifiable issues. It is our hope that this research will act as a call to action to those who have it within their power to resolve or alleviate these issues, and that this project will mark the start of long-term monitoring of heritage craft viability and a shared will to avoid the cultural loss that is borne each time a craft dies.
Heritage Crafts is committed to updating the list on a regular basis, and so, with support from the Pilgrim Trust, over 900 organisations and individuals were contacted directly by email and telephone and invited to contribute to the research between September 2024 and May 2025. Participants were asked to provide background information about each craft, such as its history, techniques and local forms, as well as current information relating to the number of skilled craftspeople and trainees, and the ongoing issues affecting the viability of the craft, including the effects of the current energy crisis.
Each craft was then classified into one of four categories of endangerment using a combination of both objective criteria (such as numbers of crafts people and trainees) and subjective criteria (issues affecting the future viability of the craft including training opportunities and market trends). Issues affecting the viability of heritage crafts vary on a craft-by-craft basis, though many can be grouped, and possible solutions devised that will help many crafts practices become more viable.
For the purposes of this research, a heritage craft is defined as ‘a practice which employs manual dexterity and skill and an understanding of traditional materials, design and techniques, and which has been practised for two or more successive generations’. The research focuses on craft practices which are taking place in the UK at the present time, including those crafts which have originated elsewhere, and on those aspects of each craft with a high reliance on hand-work and which involve high levels of hand skill.
If you have any queries about the research, are aware of a heritage craft that is not listed, or have further information to add about any craft, please contact [email protected].
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Craft skills under threat with 17 additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
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We are thrilled to award 35 new bursaries for trainees from across the UK to learn heritage craft skills, supported by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation, the Dulverton Trust, the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, the @cityandguildsfoundation, the @ashley_family_foundation_4321, the Royal British Legion, the newbytrust, and Malcolm and Rosalind Gammie. 🙌
• John Allison – saddlery
• Zainab Bello @thezainab.b – tailoring
• Isobel Blackburn @isobel_blackburn_costume – tailoring
• Sophie Buckingham @buckingham_sophie – silversmithing
• Daniel Cope – shoe making
• Emmaly Crimmel @crimmelemmaly – stained glass
• Olumide Emmanuel Faleti @minuel.uk – shoe making
• Reece Gilroy – spectacle making
• Vitalija Glovackyte – piano tuning and restoration
• Amelia Goncalves – costume making
• Lee Gordon @oui.enamel – watch dial enamelling
• Elliot Greenfield @ex.astudio – engraving and stone setting
• Amar Grewal @amarthemaker – pottery
• Jasmine Harper-Jones @jasmineharperjones – ceramic painting
• Alex Hawes @alexhawes_embroidery – costume making and embroidery
• Rachel Holding @curiousgilding – reverse glass gilding
• Rachel Jacobs – paper conservation
• Matthew James @friend_of_lime – leadworking
• Nancy Johnston @upholsterycats – upholstery
• Joanne Kelly @jokellyart – banner making
• Laura Kriefman @laurakriefman – neon making
• Henrietta Lawrence Van Pooss – stonemasonry
• Lisa Lloyd @lisalloyddesigns – upholstery
• Jake Mann @mj.leatherwork – saddlery
• Domal McKenzie @rhubarbncustardco – tailoring
• Em Mount – stonemasonry
• Shirley Nelson @shirleynelsonjewellery – enamelling
• Zane Palmer @33andco_– diamond setting
• Viola Prokopova – stringed instrument making
• Gavin Roberts – stone conservation
• Chiazam Saint Venit – tailoring
• David Bimudu Scott @bimu_woodcrafts – furniture making
• Evie Spurdle @the_strap_and_hammer_armoury – armour making
• Noah Staley-Mathews – armour making
• Polina Volochay – sail making and boat building
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio.
Come and join the fun at @craftfestival Wales at Cardigan Castle, today until Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Featuring @samanthajonesquilts, @wade.evans.designs, @barneywalling, @isabellaossett and @maryeluned_craft.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee furniture maker
Where: London
Founded by furniture maker Matthew Hensby, the @hensbyworkshop was set up with a belief that traditional craftsmanship can hold a lasting place within contemporary design.
Matthew is looking to hear from people at the beginning of their furniture-making career who are interested in developing their skills within a professional workshop environment. The role would involve working alongside an experienced maker on bespoke furniture commissions, starting with the fundamentals and gradually taking on more responsibility as skills develop.
Some practical furniture-making experience is desirable, whether through formal training or time in a workshop, but qualifications are not essential. More important are a strong eye for detail, patience, care in making, and a genuine commitment to developing traditional furniture-making skills.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Craftsperson Operative (willow)
Deadline: 4 September 2026
Where: Somerset
Are you passionate about craftsmanship and hands-on work? Somerset Willow is looking for a motivated individual to join its team as a Willow Craftsperson. You’ll learn time-honoured weaving techniques and help create premium handmade willow products cherished by customers across the UK and abroad.
Somerset Willow is a leading UK manufacturer of premium handmade willow products, supplying industries ranging from funerals to interiors and fashion. Its commitment to craftsmanship and quality has earned it a strong reputation at home and internationally.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
2027 Calendar Photography Competition
Deadline for entries: 21 September 2026
We are creating an official Heritage Crafts 2027 Calendar, to be sold through our online shop later this year.
To make this calendar a true celebration of traditional craft skills across the UK, we are inviting makers to submit high-quality photographs of their work and workshops.
Twelve selected makers will be featured as the main image for each month of the year, showcasing the incredible breadth, precision and beauty of heritage crafts to thousands of craft enthusiasts.
Find out mor at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-stories/photocompetition2027/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
📷 Gerald Monaghan blacksmith at Ulster Folk Museum, by Philip Utton
In yesterday’s Guardian, ‘AI-proof? Younger workers desert the digital world for traditional crafts’.
“It’s a bleak moment for young people entering the workforce for the first time. For decades, a university degree seemed to promise a stable career – but entry-level white-collar jobs across almost all sectors are being disrupted by AI…
“Even creative fields are struggling against AI tech that can produce artwork, lengthy prose or complex design briefs in seconds.
“But many young workers have responded by turning to what they see as ‘AI-proof’ heritage crafts. These are the centuries-old, hands-on jobs, such as boat-making, metalwork or bookbinding, that require specialist knowledge built on creative judgment and dexterity, skills not yet mastered by AI.”
Featuring @ludlowbookbinders @coxlondon and @nationaltheatre.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/aug/27/ai-proof-jobs-traditional-crafts or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
Encaustic tile maker and Heritage Crafts Endangered Crafts Fund recipient Craig Peebles @welbyandwright featured on Radio 2’s Pitch Your Passion segment with Romesh Ranganathan.
He did an amazing job pitching his love for encaustic tile making… but could he beat the mighty Lego?
To support our work in safeguarding endangered skills join up as a member and make a donation at heritagecrafts.org.uk.
Who do you think should win?
Heritage Crafts at Craft Festival Wales @craftfestival
When: 11 to 13 September 2026
Where: Cardigan Castle
We’re thrilled to be back at Craft Festival Wales this September, bringing with us makers dedicating their lives to keeping rare and remarkable skills alive.
This year, you can meet drystone waller Barney Murray @barneywalling, polisher and enameller Freya Bletsoe @isabellaossett, quiltmaker Samantha Jones @samanthajonesquilts, and milliner Emily Gash @wade.evans.designs.
Mary Lewis @maryeluned_craft, Head of Craft Sustainability at Heritage Crafts, will also be hosting a panel discussion featuring Barney Murray and Katy Bevan from Quickthorn Books @quickthornbooks at 3.30pm on Sunday 13 September – Living Lineage: What Does Heritage Craft Mean Today?
https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/events/craft-festival-wales-2026/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
