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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Wonderful to catch up with current Heritage Crafts Emerging Weaver of the Year @leonie.textiles demonstrating all this week at @roseuniacke as part of @londoncraftweek. The collaboration is raising funds for Heritage Crafts through the sale of Leonie’s weaving.
Rose Uniacke have generously supported this award for the past three years, and the 2026 award is now open for nominations via our website. They have also supported our work to safeguard traditional craft skills with profits from their Remnant Weave project.
Thank you so much Rose Uniacke and well done to the hugely talented Leonie!
Heritage crafts at the core of the day!
Words cannot describe how proud we are to have hosted such a wonderful event in collaboration with @heritagecrafts the @theleathersellers and @saddlerscompany.saddlershall for @londoncraftweek this year.
From the beautiful pieces contributed to the auction, to the makers who spoke about their work, to those who gave demonstrations and answered questions. We were thrilled to see so many showing an interest and especially grateful to those who bid on the silent auction.
We ended the day with some inspiring speeches and hope to keep the conversation going.
#londoncraftweek #heritagecrafts #craft
Wonderful evening of speeches in celebration of Living Legacies at @theleathersellers for @londoncraftweek.
What is a heritage craft? @maryeluned_craft talks about the history of the Red List of Endanger Crafts and its role in the future. Great thoughts for @londoncraftweek.
Thank you to our incredible speakers, none of this would be possible without you!
#heritagecrafts #londoncraftweek #redlistofendangeredcrafts
Our wonderful Trustee Jonathan Reid from @ernestwrightltd talking about the critically endangered craft of scissor making at our Living Legacies event at Leathersellers Hall for @londoncraftweek.
We could listen to our makers talk about their passion for their craft all day. ✂️
#scissormaking #heritagecrafts #londoncraftweek
Valeria Leonova @artvaleria talking about the endangered craft of petrykivka.
We’ve had so many of you coming through the doors and it’s been wonderful sharing heritage crafts with you.
#petrykivka #ukrainianfolkart
Devin Valentine @valentine_instruments speaking about Luthiery their time at @westdeancollege and the skill of bow making.
Come along to Leathersellers Hall and meet the makers – we’re here until 16.30.
#heritagecrafts #luthiery #endangeredcraft
James Ducker from @carreducker talking about shoemaking as part of Living Legacies exhibition at Leathersellers Hall as part of @londoncraftweek.
They’ve contributed two items to our @heritagecrafts auction which closes this evening. So get your bids in!
Come along and see some of the other speakers today.
