The seas around us have shaped our history and the harbours and ports along our coasts, rivers and canals are a key part of this story. The national Heritage Harbour scheme is organised by the Maritime Heritage Trust with input from National Historic Ships and Heritage England. Although there are now 14 Heritage Harbours in England, 10 in ports around the coast and 4 inland ports on canals, Heritage Harbours are relatively new – the first being recognised only in 2019.

The Heritage Harbour concept started in northern Europe as a way of providing free or low-cost mooring to historic vessels in exchange for public display. In the UK, the idea has evolved to include a wider range of local community links, encouraging heritage skills (e.g., wooden boatbuilding) and cultural heritage activities such as maritime festivals and events which benefit the local community and boost visitors. 

Drawing on the experience of European museum harbours, the initiative recognises the value of historic ports and harbours. These are the locations where you can see traditional ships and the buildings, facilities and people that make that possible. A recent visit to the maritime festival in Pasaia, northern Spain, showed what can be achieved with the restoration of vessels and creating an attractive maritime festival with visiting ships. They do not have a national Heritage Harbour scheme in Spain and are interested to learn from our experience. 

Heritage Harbours are often smaller ports as these benefit most from national recognition and having a bigger voice. They are frequently home to historic vessels which, as part of the local community, attract volunteers and visitors. In the Torridge there are five vessels listed on the National Historic Ships register: a local-built gravel barge, a 1910-built rowed lifeboat, a 1960s diesel tug, a 1930s Irish dockyard tender and a 1940s steamship. Those are just the listed vessels – anyone who walks along Bideford Quay knows there are other vessels moored here. We are now working on researching and telling all their stories. 

In southwest England we have four Heritage Harbours, Gloucester, Bristol, Bideford and River Torridge, and Exeter. Recently this regional group met in Exeter to discuss common issues and plan how to cooperate in future. Heritage Harbour trails and common themed summer events in 2027 are proposed. Watch this space and check the website for updates: www.barthh.org