image for illustration: Archaeologytea, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Commissioned by Historic England (HE) and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, a 2025 report by Heritage Innovation has been published, focussed on designated industrial heritage sites, with ten recommendations.
Historic England writes:
Commissioned by Historic England and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, this 2025 report by Heritage Innovation focusses 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…
Drawing on desk-based research, questionnaires and interviews, its emphasis is on industrial sites open as heritage attractions, including both museums and monuments, with sections on ownership, governance, function, finance, management, access, conservation, and interpretation.
Having considered the findings, the report puts forward ten recommendations:
- Create a baseline of key sites for long-term measurement and improvement
- Additional support for the Industrial Heritage Support Officer role
- Network research, including further detailed analysis of approaches to best diversify sector governance, management and funding
- Greater advocacy
- Volunteer renaissance, including community champions for industrial heritage
- Skills enhancement, involving both technical and operational skills
- Audience development and marketing
- Sector mentoring
- Heritage fuel research
- Strategic review setting out the priorities and parameters for this part of the 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 hosted by the National Trust (further details on the Industrial Heritage Support and Industrial Heritage Networks websites). It will also be of considerable interest to all those involved in the care and public presentation of England’s industrial heritage, such as local authorities and other public bodies, charitable trusts and volunteer groups.
