Ten industrial heritage museums and sites have received a Sandford Award for 2026. This is a leading mark of quality for heritage learning, and is run by Lincoln Bishop University alongside the Heritage Education Trust. Applying for the Sandford Award is an opportunity to reflect on, strengthen, and gain independent recognition for the learning experiences sites offer.
The industrial museums and sites that have been recognised for their excellence through recieving the 2026 Award recipients | Heritage Education Trust are:
- Bradford Industrial Museum
- Discovery Museum & Tyne & Wear Archives
- Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre
- Hopetown Darlington
- Middleport Pottery
- National Museum of Computing (Bucks)
- National Tramway
- Port Sunlight Trust
- Tower Bridge
- Watercress Linbe Railway Heritage Trust
The Award is respected because it is independently assessed, expert-led and based on on-site assessment visits, not paperwork alone. Holding one can also aid further grant applications. Applications for the 2027 awards open on 30 November.
