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
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#matchMAKER opportunity!
Apprentice Stonemason
Location: Doncaster
Deadline: 31 March 2026
Specialising in the conservation and restoration of Britain’s historic buildings and landmarks, Historic Property Restoration Limited are recruiting an apprentice stonemason. Formerly the direct
What you will do at work:
-Basic masonry work with electrical and hand tools.
-Basic drawing board skills & basic instruction in the use of site levelling and setting out equipment.
-Re-pointing of existing masonry and methods, and types of finish to mortar. Common mortar mixes associated with various types of stone considering their jointing configuration and situation.
-Recording, taking down and rebuilding of masonry & cleaning of masonry.
-Detailed conservation of friable stonework including resin repairs and “plastic”/mortar repairs.
-Drilling and pinning stonework and the removal of old iron cramps and fixings.
-Basic health and safety equipment, use and application. Site emergency procedures followed.
-Manual handling techniques and working at heights & working with team members.
-You will be working at various locations but predominately based in the Doncaster area.
Find out 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.
This week’s #mondaymaker is Debbie Rudolph @debbierudolph_weaving – a weaver.
Debbie is a Falmouth-based textile designer and heritage weaver who blends traditional techniques with modern sustainability. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, she specialises in hand-woven tapestries and homeware. In March 2025, she began establishing her own natural dye garden, and as of late 2025, she has been weaving these naturally dyed materials into a new collection of Cornish Coastline Tapestries and hand-spun fleece and linen pieces.
Debbie works with traditional second-hand looms, such as Glimakra Countermarch and Upright Tapestry looms, which she restores and rethreads. To make her craft more accessible, she developed her own range of Make Me Looms – a selection of small looms produced from recycled plastic and made locally in Cornwall. As a qualified teacher, she also often teaches weaving workshops.
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #weaving
We are profiling the recipients of our latest round of Endangered Crafts Fund grants.
James Anderson @anderson_hats06, from Luton, has been funded to restore antique straw hat making machines and buy a boater hat block for his blocking machine, as part of his mission to revive straw hat making in the town.
James’ grant is funded by the Julia Rausing Trust.
James said: “This funding has been essential to bringing some beautiful rare antique hat manufacturing machinery back into service for another generation to use. I am very grateful to Heritage Crafts for helping me get what I need to bring proper straw hat making back to its ancestral home in Luton.”
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Assistant Ropemaker
Location: Bristol
Deadline: 13th February 2026
Avon Ropes Ltd is a small business which started in Bristol in 2011, and relcoated a year ago to new, bigger premises near Kingswood, Bristol. They primarily produce high quality English-style church bell ropes, supplying to a worldwide market.
They are recruiting an assistant ropemaker to join their small team and help with the manufacture of these church bell ropes, primarily the finishing stages of trimming. The role involves working with natural fibres, wool, along with modern fibres like Polyester and Dyneema.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter to [email protected].
Find out 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.
@sailmaker_shiner on winning the Scotland and UK Maker of the Year Awards, the craft of traditional sailmaking in the Orkney Islands, and the advice he would give to his younger self. ⛵️🏴 #heritagecrafts #endangeredcrafts #heritagecraftsawards
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Upholstery apprentice
Location: Exeter
Perce & Williams specialise in creating bespoke, luxury upholstery pieces for discerning clients, interior designers, and prestigious international projects. With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, quality, and design, their work combines traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics to deliver exceptional furniture built to last. As they grow, they are seeking an upholstery apprentice to join their passionate team.
What you will learn:
-How to strip and rebuild furniture frames from the ground up.
-Upholstery techniques, including webbing, springs, padding, and fabric application.
-Upholstering high-end bespoke furniture such as sofas, chairs, headboards, and ottomans.
-Sewing fabric, leather, and other materials accurately using industrial machinery.
-How to work from design briefs and collaborate with designers and experienced upholsterers.
-Quality control and finishing to a luxury standard.
-Assisting with occasional on-site installations or client visits
This is a hands-on, practical role where you’ll learn how high-end furniture is made from start to finish. No previous upholstery experience is required — full training will be provided. You will start on a part-time basis, with hours increasing over time as your skills and confidence develop, leading to a full-time position.
Find out 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!
Leadlight Stained Glass Maker and Cementer
Location: Esher, South East.
Coriander Stained Glass is currently recruiting a leadlight stained glass maker and cementer. Established in 1995, they design, make, repair and restore stained glass windows and lead lights of any style or period. Their small team, spread over two branches in Wimbledon and Esher, cover everything from new custom leadlight designs and glass kiln-fired painting, to careful restoration and rebuilding of old and historic panels.
They are seeking an eager individual to join their rebuild/restoration team, working on aged and historic leadlight stained glass panels in order to restore them to their original state. This is an opportunity to delve into the world of a very old traditional craft, using techniques and tools used for centuries to adorn the architecture of Greater London and beyond. This work is well suited to someone with an interest in history and the arts. You do not need to have any experience in the craft, as training will be provided.
You can expect to learn skills such as glass cutting, lead shaping and cutting, soldering and cementing. You will learn about the countless glass types and textures, and will be handling glass that is between 70-150 years old on a daily basis. All work is done in the traditional way by hand.
Find out 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.
This week’s #craftfocus is globe making.
Globe making involves the creation and restoration of globes – spheres covered with a map usually of the earth or the heavens.
The traditional method of globe construction involved making a papier maché sphere and then covering it in plaster.
Today, some globe makers outsource the spheres and have them made in resin/ fibreglass or plastic whilst others retain the artisanal hand skills of making in plaster and papier maché.
Key skills include:
-Cartography – creating a map that accurately can be applied to a sphere.
-Construction of the sphere.
-Cutting of the gores (the almond shaped pieces of the map that are applied to a sphere).
-Hand tinting of map gores – often printed in black and white, gores are then hand coloured with a fine paint brush and water colour.
-Wetting and stretching the gores across the sphere without ripping, tearing, bubbling, overlapping, or leaving gaps between gores.
-Construction of bases / stands for both Desktop and Floor Standing Globes.
Some globe makers will also undertake the restoration of antique globes. A maker trained in traditional construction methods will have the experience and expertise to mend and restore old globes.
Globe making is classified as endangered on our Craft Inventory. There is a lack of specialised training available, presenting difficulty in learning techniques such as goring. Many globe makers have also shifted from making for educational purposes to the higher end market. Social media however is helping to increase popularity of the craft.
Images: Lander & May Ltd @landerandmay.globes
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #globemaking
