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].
Latest Red List stories
Craft skills remain under threat with 20 new additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
Nine more grants to help save endangered crafts
Craft skills under threat with 17 additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
Craft inspiration direct to your inbox
Become a Heritage Crafts Fan and receive a free monthly newsletter about craft announcements, events and opportunities.
SubscribeFollow us on Instagram
We are delighted to announce our expert judging panel for this year’s Emerging Leatherworker of the Year Award supported by the @theleathersellers. This award celebrates those in the first five years of their professional practice who are already making their mark. 💼👞
• Bill Amberg @billambergstudio – internationally renowned master leather craftsman, designer and industry pioneer with four decades of expertise, Bill has revolutionised the architectural use of leather, pioneering structural, interior and furniture applications alongside bespoke luxury leather goods. He is a passionate advocate for sustainable material sourcing, traditional hide processing and training the next generation of artisans.
• Maisie Hill @ravenhill.leather – leatherworker, marquetry artist and 2025 Emerging Leatherworker of the Year Award winner, Maisie specialising in fine leather restoration, bespoke box-making and intricate leather marquetry at luxury furniture studio Silverlining. Her practice blends meticulous hand-tool mastery with innovative surface manipulation and contemporary aesthetics.
• Yusuf Osman @yussico – formerly a practising solicitor, Yusuf transitioned into craft to pursue traditional leatherworking, specialising in hand-stitched leather goods made using centuries-old saddle-stitching techniques and natural vegetable-tanned hides. Selected for the prestigious Homo Faber Guide, he is a dedicated tutor who actively demystifies the craft through workshops and outreach.
This award is open to any craft where leather is the primary material, including fashion and accessories, saddlery, bridlery and harness making, shoemaking, tanning and more!
There is a £1,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November.
📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)
➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/leatherworker-of-the-year/
📷 2025 finalist Ana Del Rio Mullarkey @_anadelrio
Exclusive Makers’ Content Lab 📱✂️
Our Makers’ Content Lab is exclusive for Heritage Crafts members and recipients, led by content creator @daisybow_craft.
Social media and content creation have become essential skills for promoting your work, sharing your practice, and building community around your craft/trade. Yet there are few opportunities for makers to learn how to participate meaningfully in this digital space.
The Makers’ Content Lab is a new programme of online sessions designed to help you build confidence, develop practical skills, and explore what social media can look like for you and your craft.
The last session saw Daisy guide us through the process of creating an ‘about me’ post for Instagram.
The next session will take place online on Wednesday 26 August. If you are interested in taking part, and you are not already a member or recipient, please consider signing up as a member!
heritagecrafts.org.uk/join-us
We are delighted to announce our expert judging panel for this year’s Emerging Building Craftsperson of the Year Award 2026, supported by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings @spab1877. 🔨🪜🪚🧱
• Nicola Duncan-Finn @duncanfinnnicola – with over 25 years championing traditional skills and sustainable approaches to heritage management, Nicola’s strategic leadership has helped conserve significant historic sites across England, including castles, ecclesiastical ruins, windmills and vernacular buildings. She has led national partnerships that culminated in the publication of the first Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan for England in 2024.
• Claire Vidler – specialising in traditional timber framing and vernacular architecture, Claire’s practice integrates hands-on craft with academic research, having worked on landmark sites such as Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Palace. She serves on the SPAB Education and Training Committee and Carpenters Fellowship Board, edits Mortice and Tenon magazine, and lectures for the Weald & Downland Living Museum.
This award is for the rising stars in stonemasonry or gauged brickwork, timber framing or carpentry, heritage tiling or plastering … or any other craft focused on the construction, conservation or repair of buildings or structures.
There is a £1,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November.
📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)
➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/emerging-building-craftsperson-of-the-year/
📷 2024 finalist William Blackmore
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Knitwear Trainee
Where: Hawick, Scotland
For over 150 years, Alex Begg Group has been creating luxury textiles recognised globally for their craftsmanship, innovation and attention to detail. By joining them as a trainee, you’ll become part of a talented team dedicated to preserving and developing these skills for future generations.
As a trainee, you will:
• Learn from experienced colleagues and industry experts.
• Develop practical, hands-on skills within your chosen area.
• Participate in structured training and development programmes.
• Gain valuable workplace experience in a supportive team environment.
• Contribute to the production of world-renowned luxury products.
• Build the knowledge and confidence needed for long-term career progression.
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.
We are delighted to announce our expert judging panel for this year’s Woodworker of the Year Award, which closes for applications next Friday! 🪵🪓🪑🪚
• Clunie Fretton @cluniefretton – master woodcarver, sculptor and gilder, Clunie was trained in historic woodcarving and gilding at the City & Guilds of London Art School. She is a member of the Master Carvers Association and a tutor at West Dean College, specialising in high-end architectural carving, conservation and bespoke sculptural commissions, blending traditional hand-tool techniques with rigorous classical draughtsmanship.
• Helen Welch @the_london_furniture_school – master woodworker, furniture maker and founder of the London School of Furniture Making, Helen originally trained at London Metropolitan University. She spent years running a successful bespoke furniture workshop before establishing her school to offer accessible, rigorous instruction in traditional hand-tool woodworking. She is also known as a judge on Channel 4’s ‘Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker’.
The award is open to practitioners of any craft that uses wood as its primary material, who demonstrates the highest level of craft skill and is held in high regard amongst their peers. Examples include (but are not limited to) carpentry, furniture making and wood carving, as well as such crafts as wheelwrighting, boatbuilding, timber framing, marquetry, guitar making, etc.
There is a £2,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. We also have an Emerging Green Woodworker of the Year Award supported by @woodsmith_uk offering a £1,000 prize.
📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)
➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/woodworker-of-the-year/
📷 2023 winner Tom Ball
Over seven posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent Endangered Crafts Fund round.
Elena Fleury-Rojo @redflowerglass, from Essex, has been funded to purchase a dedicated scientific glassblowing torch setup and associated equipment, to build on her training bursary and preserve the endangered craft of scientific glassblowing.
Elena’s training bursary helped her mastered core techniques such as working with borosilicate tubing and constructing complex laboratory apparatus. However, to truly consolidate these highly specialised skills and make them commercially viable, continuous practice is vital.
Having the correct tools in-house will enable Elena to manufacture and repair scientific glassware for laboratories and schools, keeping this critical heritage skill alive. Alongside her making, Elena is actively raising awareness for the sector, having recently organised an exhibition at the Stourbridge Glass Museum highlighting endangered glassmaking crafts.
This round’s grants are funded by the Julia Rausing Trust and a private donor.
Elena said: “Receiving this funding means so much to me. It gives me the opportunity to build on my Heritage Crafts training bursary, continue developing my scientific glassblowing skills and play my part in safeguarding this endangered craft for future generations.”
We are delighted to announce our expert judging panel for this year’s Precious Metalworker of the Year Award, supported by the @royalmintuk. 💍🪙🍴👑
• Stephen M Goldsmith @goldpolisher – internationally renowned master polisher, author and Precious Metalworker of the Year Award winner 2025, Stephen has over fifty years of experience polishing some of the world’s most iconic treasures. A Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths, he is a passionate educator who delivers masterclasses, mentors apprentices and advocates for endangered skills.
• Leighton John – Director of Operations at The Royal Mint, Leighton oversees the manufacturing processes that produce Britain’s official coinage, commemorative medals and bullion. Joining the organisation in 2011, Leighton has played a pivotal role in modernising minting operations while upholding centuries of precious metal traditions.
• Dan Thomas – holding the historic appointment of King’s Assay Master, Dan continues a continuous lineage of quality assurance dating back to the twelfth century. A highly skilled metallurgist, Dan is responsible for verifying the purity and composition of all precious metals used in UK coinage and trial collections through rigorous chemical analysis and traditional assay methods.
Whether a silversmith, jewellery maker, gilder, hand engraver, medal maker, concert flute maker, we want to celebrate their dedication to excellence. From silver spinning and polishing to engine turning and concert flute making… if the work is exceptional, it belongs in the spotlight. Help us honour the makers who keep these incredible traditions alive.
There is a £2,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November.
📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)
➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/precious-metalworker-of-the-year/
📷 2025 finalist Angela Cork
Boatbuilder and 2024 Patron’s Award for Endangered Crafts Award winner Gail McGarva will be featured on BBC Radio 4 today at 1.45pm. But if you can’t wait that long you can listen to it online at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ztzy.
In this series, writer Dan Richards seeks out the tradition bearers and carriers of ancient knowledge who actively choose to live in close connection with the natural world around them… a return to first principles of what it means to be human and the kind of people you would like to be around if things fell apart.
