Heritage Education Trust marks 40 years running the Sandford Award with 2026's standout learning programmes.

Lincoln Bishop University is delighted to announce 29 winners of this year's Sandford Award, as the Heritage Education Trust celebrates 40 years of championing high quality heritage learning through the award.  

The recipients include industrial museums, medieval and Anglo-Saxon heritage sites, working railways, literary archives and one of Britain's best-loved bridges - all recognised for the quality of the learning experiences they offer.

The Sandford Award is the UK and Ireland's leading mark of quality for heritage learning, run by Lincoln Bishop University alongside the Heritage Education Trust (HET).

This year's cohort is a genuine showcase of the breadth that the Sandford exists to recognise. From The National Museum of Computing, tracing the story of computing history for a new generation, to Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, bringing the sounds and smells of a working trawler to life for school groups, and Tower Bridge, turning one of London's most recognisable landmarks into a hands-on engineering lesson.

Dr Tracy Borman, OBE, speaking on behalf of the Heritage Educational Trust, said:

“It is wonderful to see such a rich and diverse range of heritage sites among this year's Sandford Award winners: from castles and museums to parks, potteries and London's most famous bridge. Every single recipient deserves the recognition and profile that securing this prestigious award brings and I would like to offer them all my heartfelt congratulations.”

This is a milestone year, and a bigger one is on the way! 2026 marks 40 years since the Heritage Education Trust took over the running and development of the Sandford Award. Since 1986, the organisation has been solely responsible for providing independent, on-site quality assurance for heritage learning across the British Isles and Ireland.

It's a fitting moment to look ahead as in 2027, the Sandford Award will celebrate its 50th anniversary; five decades of setting the benchmark for what outstanding heritage education looks like. As the Trust builds towards that milestone, this year's winners are a reminder of how far - and wide - the Award's influence now reaches and how much has changed in heritage learning since its inception.

Professor Andrew Gower speaking on behalf of Lincoln Bishop University, said: “At Lincoln Bishop University, we believe that heritage education has a vital role in enriching lives, strengthening communities and inspiring learning at every stage of life. We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Heritage Education Trust and the shared commitment it represents to learning through heritage.

“We are delighted to recognise this year’s Sandford Award winners. Their work demonstrates the creativity, care and educational excellence that make heritage meaningful and accessible for learners. Congratulations to every organisation receiving a 2026 Sandford Award.”

This year’s award ceremony will be held at Kensington Palace in The Clore Learning Centre on Tuesday 17 November at 11.30am.