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
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Craft skills under threat with 17 additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
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Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Amar Grewal @amarthemaker, from Middlesex, transitioned into ceramics following a career in hospitality and has spent time volunteering alongside professional potters to develop his making skills. His bursary will contribute towards tuition fees for the two-year Diploma in Ceramics at @claycollegestoke, focusing on production throwing, hand-building, glaze formulation and kiln firing.
Amar’s bursary is supported by the @cityandguildsfoundation.
Amar said: “To be part of the millennia-old ceramics tradition feels like such a privilege and responsibility. With Heritage Crafts and City & Guilds’ support and guidance, I am able to make the most of the full-time training at Clay College Stoke, which will give me the strongest possible foundation for life as a potter.”
📷 @madebytrosh and @todays_tipple
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Nancy Johnston @upholsterycats, from Kingston-upon-Thames, is a former Welsh Guards musician, oboist and music educator who has developed traditional furniture upholstery skills through adult education classes. Her bursary will fund the first year of @the_amusf Diploma at @shoreditchdesignrooms, covering traditional springing, stuffing and stitching techniques.
Nancy’s bursary is supported by the Royal British Legion.
Nancy said: “The funding from Heritage Crafts means I can complete the training I need to pursue my dream of becoming an upholsterer.”
We’ve had such a wonderful time at Cardigan Castle for @craftfestival Wales, with @samanthajonesquilts, @wade.evans.designs, @barneywalling, @isabellaossett and @maryeluned_craft.
See you next year! 🏴✂️🧶🪚
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Daniel Cope, from Northampton, recently finished a factory-based footwear manufacturing apprenticeship. His bursary will fund intensive one-to-one training sessions in bespoke shoemaking with master shoemaker @bespokeshoes_the_elek, covering hand lasting, welting, insole preparation and finishing.
Daniel’s bursary is supported by the Dulverton Trust.
Daniel said: “This funding is an incredible opportunity to continue my training in bespoke shoemaking and learn directly from a highly skilled maker. It will allow me to improve on the skills I’ve already developed and gain the experience needed to build a long-term career in the craft.”
Binda Patel, Director of the Dulverton Trust, said: “We are delighted to be supporting such a wide range of talented craftspeople across the country as they take the next steps in their careers. We are pleased to see such interesting work which we know will strengthen these important heritage crafts and preserve them for future generations.”
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Zainab Bello @thezainab.b, from Cardiff, is a healthcare worker and founder of the womenswear brand @sisiclaraofficial, having developed her pattern cutting and garment construction skills through independent study. Her bursary will fund her place on the SEG Awards Level 3 Award and Certificate in Fashion and Textiles at the @fashiontechnologyacademy, focusing on advanced tailoring and structured garment construction.
Zainab’s bursary is supported by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation.
Zainab said: “Receiving this bursary means more to me than simply being able to attend a course; it gives me access to an opportunity I genuinely could not have afforded on my own. I’m incredibly excited to strengthen my craftsmanship, develop my technical skills and take an important step towards building a sustainable career in my craft.”
📷 @109thavenue
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 @emmanuelfaleti @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 @_hlvp – 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.
#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.
