Sandford Awards 2026 – Now Open for Entries! 

The Sandford Awards 2026 are now open for entries, offering museums and heritage sites the UK’s leading quality mark for excellence in heritage learning. As the only independent accreditation in this field, the award recognises high-quality programmes across formal education, family learning and self-guided visitor experiences, assessed directly on site. 

Recent recipients – such as Flag Fen Archaeology Park (2025), Mrs Smith’s Cottage (2024), Great North Museum: Hancock (2023), Rosslyn Chapel (2022) and Crich Tramway Village (2021) – show the breadth of sites celebrated for delivering outstanding learning experiences. 

Organisations can find full details on About the Sandford Award and the benefits for entrants and How to enter via the Heritage Education Trust website. 

Deadline: 23:59 on Friday 13 February 2026 

Contact: jayne.ellis@lincolnbishop.ac.uk 

Image: Chris Vaughan Photography