Nestled between Huddersfield, Barnsley and Sheffield is a rich seam of natural resources that spurred a wealth of industrial innovation from the medieval period to the Industrial Revolution. By bringing together the variety of heritage sites to learn from each other the East Peak Innovation Partnership has created a regional industrial heritage route as part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.

From small, volunteer-run sites including Wortley Top Forge and Silkstone to large museums such as Magna, Kelham Island alongside country houses as Cannon Hall and Wentworth Castle; nearly 50 volunteers and staff from 12 sites across the area linked up and visited the others to learn how each tells their stories, involves and captivates their visitors and displays their collections.

Volunteers developed their skills, strengthened their knowledge, shared their experience and built their confidence to tell the wider stories of the area’s industrial heritage.

The deepened understanding of the other sites in the area has enabled the volunteers to draw connections between the different sites. By signposting people to the range of venues from charming Wortley Hall and Kirklees Light Railway to larger, more well-known sites, the project provides a more organised and united approach to the iron, coal and steam industries of the area.

Discover the regional industrial heritage route and a list of all the attractions involved at the Makers, Miners and Money website.