The Heatherfield Heritage team brings together a wide range of practical and creative skills, reflecting both traditional crafts and hands-on heritage knowledge. From everyday techniques such as basic to rare and endangered crafts, we work to preserve, share, and celebrate these abilities.
One area of particular focus is canal art — a traditional decorative style closely tied to Britain’s waterways heritage. Recognised by the Heritage Crafts Association as an at-risk craft and included on its official “Red List,” canal art is an important part of our cultural story.
We offer demonstrations and teaching in many of these skills, helping to keep them alive for future generations while giving people the opportunity to experience heritage in a direct and practical way.
Our skillset includes:
Narrowboat handling – safe and skilled navigation of traditional narrowboats on Britain’s inland waterways.
Canal art – Predominantly the iconic “roses and castles” painting, but also “brightwork” and “dayboat” styles
Signwriting – Hand-painted lettering on a variety of surfaces, designed and executed with no digital input
Coach painting – layering and finishing paintwork for boats and vehicles using traditional hand painting.
Woodwork – practical carpentry for repair and restoration projects.
Boat building and repair – maintaining and restoring craft constructed in all materials.
Leatherwork – producing and repairing practical leather items with traditional techniques.
Horse harness making and repair – specialist skills for working horses, preserving knowledge once central to motivepower.