New ‘Red List Crafts’ at National Trust Heritage Centre

The National Trust’s Heritage & Rural Skills Centre aims to safeguard against the loss of traditional crafts by promoting ‘Red List’ crafts.

The Centre, which is based in Coleshill, near Highworth, has added more ‘Red List’ craft courses to its 2026 programme, including paper marbling, block printing, pargetting, stained glass making and decorative wood graining and marbling. The Course programme aims to introduce people to new skills as well as promoting wellbeing through creativity and bookings now being taken for the 2026 course programme. 

In its third year of opening, the 2026 programme is offering around 60 workshops throughout the year, including a range of new courses such as leather making, paper marbling and rope work.

According to the Heritage Crafts Association, there are more than 90 traditional crafts that are endangered - putting our heritage at risk. The National Trust hopes to help save and safeguard some of these endangered crafts by offering bookable courses in five endangered crafts, as well as many more in a wide range of traditional and crafts and rural skills.

The estate has more than 1,000 historic structures across 9,000 acres, including managed forestry and river lands, providing a rich and inspirational training ground for developing rural skills.

The National Trust is keen to help anyone with an enthusiasm for heritage to learn new skills and develop existing practice– not only with a view to improving conservation, but also to promote individual wellbeing, bringing people together for creative activities in a supportive environment. Through courses, outreach as well as rental units for professional craftspeople seeking a creative community environment.

A varied and interesting programme of courses for 2026 is now available for booking, offering opportunities to learn a new skill such as blacksmithing, willow weaving, wood carving and more. This is a brilliant opportunity to get to grips with a new skill, learning directly from craft specialists, who will share their expertise and passion whilst helping attendees to create a beautiful piece to take home. Materials and tools are all provided in the price of the course.

For more information about the National Trust Heritage and Rural Skills Centre visit their website HERE, call 01793 762209 or email [email protected].