The pioneering digital and physical initiative connects 22 of the country's most significant World Heritage Sites, Creative Cities and Global Geoparks through a shared story of innovation, industry and social transformation.
Bradford Council led the project as home to both the Saltaire World Heritage Site and Bradford UNESCO City of Film, bringing together partners from across the UK’s UNESCO network. The initiative has been supported through the UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Local to Global Community Grants programme, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Professor Mike Robinson, Vice Chair and Non-Executive Director for Culture, United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO said:
“The UK is noted for its rich and diverse heritage from its extensive industrial past. Such heritage is not only confined to the well-known sites and museums, but reflects just how pervasive industrial culture once was, shaping landscapes, settlements, daily life and a variety of artistic expressions.
“Multiple sites and stories to appeal to new generations are brought together in this UK Industrial Heritage Trail that connects twenty-two UNESCO designations. The United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO is delighted to support this initiative which once again demonstrates the value of collaboration amongst the UK’s UNESCO designations and provides a contemporary twist on the creativity and innovation that are embedded in our outstanding industrial heritage.”
Cllr Andrew Judson, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Economy, Regeneration and Planning - Cllr Andrew Judson said:
“The UK UNESCO Industrial Trail brings together internationally significant places in a way that has never been done before to tell the story of innovation, enterprise and social change, while encouraging visitors to explore our shared heritage in new and sustainable ways.
“As the lead authority for the project, Bradford Council hopes the trail will encourage more visitors to discover both Bradford's UNESCO-designated assets and the wider network of internationally significant sites that together tell the story of Britain's industrial past, present and future.”
Collectively, the sites tell the story of how industrialisation shaped the UK’s landscapes, communities, transport networks, creative output, and global influence and continue to do so today.
The project has delivered a range of resources designed to increase engagement with industrial heritage and encourage sustainable tourism including:
- A new digital platform Industrial Heritage | World Heritage UK featuring information about participating UNESCO sites, educational resources and an immersive 3D model of Saltaire, enabling visitors to explore the World Heritage Site in new ways.
- A downloadable and printable UK UNESCO Industrial Trail map available at Industrial Heritage | World Heritage UK highlighting sustainable travel options, including rail, canal, bus, walking and cycling routes between destinations.
- The launch of a National Industrial Heritage Day, with inaugural events taking place on 27 June 2026 across the designations to celebrate the UK's industrial legacy and strengthen connections between participating sites.
By linking UNESCO designations across the UK through a shared narrative, the project aims to strengthen collaboration, improve accessibility, support sustainable travel and inspire new audiences to engage with industrial heritage.
