industrial archaeology – Industrial Heritage Networks

The Resilience and Sustainability of Publically Accessible Industrial Heritage Sites in England: New Report

August 21, 2026mikenevell

A new report on Industrial Heritage Sites in England in 2026, commissioned by Historic England and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, has been published. This report, by Heritage Innovation, examines the resilience and sustainability of designated industrial heritage sites across England.

Focussing on designated industrial heritage sites that are accessible and interpreted to the public in England, it is a major update on two previous English Heritage (now Historic England) commissioned reports, carried out in 1998 (by PLB Consulting Ltd) and 2008 (by the late Sir Neil Cossons). Drawing on desk-based research, questionnaires and interviews, its emphasis is on industrial sites open as heritage attractions, including both museums and monuments. There are sections on:

ownership
governance
function
finance
management
access
conservation
interpretation
and marketing

Having considered the findings, it concludes with a series of ten recommendations. These include strengthening advocacy, increased support for the IHSO project, revitalising volunteering, developing technical skills, continued sector monitoring, exploring new approaches to governance and funding, and researching heritage fuels. It also calls for a strategic review to set priorities for the industrial heritage sector over the next 25 years.

The report and its findings will help take forward the work of the Historic England-funded Industrial Heritage Support Officer (IHSO) project, hosted by the Ironbridge Gorge | National Trust (further details on the project here – https://industrialheritagesupport.com/ (this current website) and https://industrialheritagenetworks.com/). The IHSO project is also supported by the The Association for Industrial Archaeology.

Dr Mike Nevell, IHSO, thanked Heritage Innovations for their hard work in pulling together data from a very varied sector, noting that ‘this is the first study of the industrial hertiage sector in a generation. Its findings and recommendations will be of considerable interest to all those involved in the care and public presentation of England’s industrial heritage, especially local authorities and other public bodies, charitable trusts, and volunteer groups’.

To download the report follow this link: https://historicengland.org.uk/research/current/discover-and-understand/industry-and-infrastructure/industrial-heritage-in-england/.

Further details about Heritage Innovation’s other work can be found here: Heritage Innovation | Cultural Heritage Consultancy UK

*The Longwarehouse and Museum of Iron, part of the National Trust Ironbridge Gorge sites taken over in March 2026 from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell*

Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Conference 2026: From Branch Lines to Tram Lines

August 11, 2026mikenevell

The 2026 Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Conference will take place on 24th October at Devizes Town Hall, which is located on the first floor of the building. It is accessible via a wide staircase, or a platform lift. There is an accessible toilet on the first floor of the building. The programme is as follows:

9.30 am – Registration

10 am – Welcome by Mike Stone Chairman of the Industrial Archaeology Committee at Wiltshire Museum.

10.05 am – The Calne branch and its industries, by Mike Stone. Mike was curator of Chippenham Museum and regularly lectures on a wide range of subjects.

10.50 am – Coffee

11.10 am – History of the Midland South Western Junction Railway, by Nick Baxter MA in Public History. Nick is a retired secondary school history teacher. He gives history talks and guided walks as part of his ‘Wiltshire History Man’ business.

12 noon – The Wantage tramway, by Dr Richard Marks, historian. ‘Industry Past’.

12.50 pm – LUNCH BREAK.
Lunch is not provided, please bring your own, or there are numerous bars and cafes in the Market Place, just a short walk from the Town Hall.

2.15 pm – A compendium of delights relating to the Malmesbury Branch, by Mike Fenton, railway historian.

3 pm – Tea

3.25 pm – The railway, locomotives and history 1916-1919 of the H.M.E.F. Stratton, Swindon: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Works, research by Colin Judge of the Industrial Railway Society. Presented by Malcolm Holland, local historian.

4.30 pm – Conference ends

To book follow this link: Booking for events – Wiltshire Museum

Ellis Mill, Lincoln, Added to Historic England’s Buildings at Risk Register

August 3, 2026mikenevell

The Grade II* listed Ellis Mill, in Lincoln, has been added to Historic England’s Buildings At Risk Register. The site is owned by Lincolnshire County Council. The brick-built tower windmill was erected in 1798 (although its not the first windmill on this site), and was restored in 1977-80. It contains mill machinery assembled from various local windmills.

The windmill is the last of several windmills that once stood on the hilltop north of the city of Lincoln, and is named after the last miller. It operated as recently as 2020 during the COVID pandemic. A survey carried out in 2021 noted more than £500,000 of repair work required, mainly to the roof and sails. According to the BBC, a public meeting held by The Ellis Mill Rescue Group on Thursday 30 July attracted around 150 people. The Ellis Mill Rescue Group submitted a business case for taking over the windmill to the council in March.

Rob Gibson, deputy leader of Lincolnshire County Council, is quoted as saying: “The council owns four windmills – each one is in a different condition with different management arrangements. We are looking at what the options are for each of these sites. We’ve been pleased to have been in talks with interested groups to give the mills a sustainable future and this work is almost completed. A windmill strategy will be proposed for further engagement in the coming months and we will then be in a position to take decisions on how we progress.” The council’s three other windmills are located in Alford, Heckington, and Burgh-le-Marsh.

More details here: Lincoln Windmill ‘at risk’ after years of neglect

Ellis’s Mill, Non Civil Parish – 1388647 | Historic England

*Ellis Windmill, Lincoln. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

‘Silver End 100’: Heritage Open Day Celebrates Industrial Company Housing in Essex, 13th September

July 29, 2026July 28, 2026mikenevell

During the 19th and early 20th century industrial companies provided housing and community facilities for their workforce, demonstrating both philanthropy and good business sense. Essex has a number of examples of this which will be celebrated on 13th September, as part of Heritage Open Days at Silver End village.

Silver End Heritage Society and the Essex Industrial Archaeology Group are running the celebration day with talks, walks, and displays exploring the company housing of Silver End village, built by the Crittall family who manufactured metal window frames. Details on the events and how to book the tours are below.

Ask an Archaeologist Day – 24 July 2026

July 23, 2026July 23, 2026mikenevell

Ask an Archaeologist Day 2026 takes place on Friday, July 24, and is an annual, social media-led, celebration that invites anyone, anywhere, to pose their burning questions to real archaeologists. The event typically runs all day, with archaeologists posting updates and answering questions in real time.

In the UK the event is managed by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and coincides with the Festival of Archaeology. The initiative encourages public interaction with archaeologists on social media platforms in an informal but informative way. All you need to do is post your question and get involved in the conversation on one of the following platforms:

X (formerly twitter)
Instagram
TikTok
Bluesky

Use the following hashtag to ask your question, #AskAnArchaeologist, in your post, and follow the event @AskAnArchDay and @archaeologyuk. It would be great to see questions about industrial archaeology, the archaeology of manufacturing and mining landscapes, and industrial heritage!

For further details follow this link: Ask An Archaeologist Day FAQ Council for British Archaeology

BESTT – Boiler & Engineering Skills Training Trust – Courses for 2026

July 21, 2026July 20, 2026mikenevell

The Boiler and Engineering Skills Training Trust (BESTT) has announced new courses for 2026. BESTT is a partnership of steam heritage organisations representing railways, ships, and traction engines, and is developing a range of training courses on boiler repair (based on demand), maintenance, and the mechanical overhaul of steam engines – on rails, land, or water.

The courses arranged for 2026 are as follows:

STAYS and PATCHSCREWS 15th August practical day (plus 2 evening zoom lectures) at Cheltenham Workshop with Colin Hatch and Sam Thompson;
SMALL DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR 12th September practical day (plus 2 evening zoom lectures) at Derwent Valley Light Railway, Murton Park;
RIVETING 12 October 4 day course at Stephenson Railway, North Tyneside with Michael Wortley and Gordon Newton.

It is also hoped to offer a Boiler Washout and Examination Course in October 26 – January 27 period, dates, and location to be confirmed.

For further information and to book please email enquiries@bestt.org.uk

Summer Industrial Heritage Exhibitions to Visit

July 20, 2026July 20, 2026mikenevell

As the summer holidays approach, and the festival of archaeology begins, there are many exhibitions at industrial heritage sites and museums available to visit. Here are three industrial heritage sites showcasing restored buildings, images of industry, and local communities.

Shuttles, Steam and Soot premiered at Queen Street Mill Textile Museum from 8 July 2026 before touring to other Lancashire locations. This facsimile exhibition recreates an original touring show from the 1970s, when these extraordinary photographs were taken, documenting working life in Queen Street Mill, Bancroft Shed in Barnoldswick and even atop a 150 foot chimney stack! Follow this link: Daniel Meadows: Shuttles, Steam and Soot – Pendle Radicals

The Staffordshire Potteries Water Board and Potteries Central Savings Bank is hosting pop-up exhibitions, beginning with artwork produced by students from Pinc College, which runs creative study programmes for neurodivergent young people. Known as One Bethesda, building restoration charity Re-Form Heritage, which runs Middleport Pottery, is working with its owner on future possible uses. Further details here: One Bethesda comes to life with Free Pinc College Pop-Up exhibition this Summer!

The Lion Salt Works is presenting an online exhibition about the history and uses of salt, A Brine Romance. To visit the exhibition follow this link: A Brine Romance | West Cheshire Museums

*One of the preserved open pans at the Lion Salt Woks, Cheshire. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

Festival of Archaeology 2026: Industrial Sites & Events

July 14, 2026mikenevell

The 2026 Festival of Archaeology, organised by the Council for Brityish Archaeology (CBA), includes more than 1200 events running from 18th July to 2nd August. Amongst these are many industrial archaoelogy and heritage related events.

Amongst the industrial archaeology and heritage events are:

Excavation of a small late 18th/early 19th century tile kiln and associated anomalies, Shorne Woods Country Park, Gravesend, Kent
Pinkery Canal Excavation, Exmoor National Park, built 1819-20, 8km long, and highest canal built in England
Archaeology Lab at Queens Street Mill, Lancashire
Tour of Wigston Framework Knitters Museum, Leics

There are also many talks and walks on industrial subjects across England and Wales. To explore the events on offer for the Festival follow this link: Festival of Archaeology Council for British Archaeology

The theme for the 2026 CBA Festival of Archaeology is “Archaeology and Nature”. Archaeology and nature are interconnected revealing how humans have lived with, shaped, and been shaped by the environment around them. By exploring the past using the climate, geology, animals, plants, landscapes and the effect of nature on archaeological sites and buildings today, we can understand how places and communities evolve and develop.

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is a leading educational charity dedicated to championing and promoting engagement in archaeology and supporting grassroots archaeologists across the UK. Established in 1944, they have a long history of championing public participation in archaeology, aiming to connect diverse communities with the heritage of our shared past.

DCMS Launches Call for Evidence for National Lottery Future Funding Model

July 13, 2026July 20, 2026mikenevell

The UK Government has launched a call for evidence on National Lottery Good Causes funding to help shape its future investment priorities. The 12-week consultation, National Lottery Good Causes: Fund What Matters To You, is open to members of the public, organisations, and community groups across the UK. This is the first major review of National Lottery Good Causes funding in more than 20 years.

The National Lottery is a crucial source of funding for museums and heritage. Since being established in 1994 it has awarded £9.5bn to more than 53,000 projects across the UK via the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This includes hundreds of industrial heritage sites and projects in England alone.

The UK Government is asking lottery players, organisations, and communities for views on what is working and how funding could be improved in the future. The review aims to make funding more accessible and give local people a greater say in how money is used in their communities. Under legislation, heritage receives 20% of annual National Lottery Good Causes distributions.

The consultation is open until 23 September 2026. More details about the call for evidence and how to contribute here: Public to have their say on National Lottery Good Causes – GOV.UK

To respond to the call follow this link: (Call for Evidence) National Lottery Good Causes – Fund What Matters To You

AIA Norwich 2026 Conference Bookings Still Open

July 6, 2026July 3, 2026mikenevell

The 2026 Association for Industrial Archaeology Conference is taking place at Norwich, Norfolk, in the east of England, in September. Places for the annual event are still available, providing an opportunity to explore the industrial archaeology of the city and its region.

The main part of the conference, on the 5th and 6th September, will explore the city’s electricity supply, East Anglian maltings, and the archaeology of the Herring fishing industry. The Annual Rolt Memorial Lecture on the Sunday will be given by Dr Russell Thomas on ‘From Gasworks to Heritage: Reading, Re-using, and Remembering the Gas industry’. A series of industrial archaeology tours across the region will take palce from 6th to 9th September, including windmills, pumping stations, and engineering works.

Flexible booking is available for the main weekend conference, with a deadline of 24th July, whilst online-only attendance for the weekend events can be booked up to 1^st September 2026. To book a place on the conference follow this link: Annual Conference – The Association for Industrial Archaeology

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Category: industrial archaeology