The Yorkshire Air Museum, York, UK, hosted the official launch of National Cold War Heritage Week 2026, bringing together members of the UK’s Cold War heritage community for the start of a nationwide program running from May 18 to 24. The event was organized by The Cold War Network CIC and gathered representatives from museums, archives, universities, volunteer-run sites, and independent researchers from across the country. The launch also included a live immersive presentation by guest speaker Iain Betson on the Wartime Broadcasting Service, giving attendees an insight into Britain’s emergency communications planning during the Cold War.
(Image credit: Molly Tunstall/Brimstone Marketing)
National Cold War Heritage Week includes a mix of free and paid events at sites across the UK. Participating locations include Scotland’s Secret Bunker, Kelvedon Hatch, Hack Green, The Tank Museum, the RAF Radar Museum, Orford Ness, Barnton Quarry, and many others. The Cold War Network has also made an interactive map and full event listings available through its website. The program is intended to broaden public understanding of how the Cold War shaped communities, infrastructure, and culture, while also supporting the organizations working to preserve that history.
(Image credit: Molly Tunstall/Brimstone Marketing)
“The launch event at the Yorkshire Air Museum demonstrated the strength, diversity, and ambition of the UK’s Cold War heritage community. National Cold War Heritage Week is now firmly established as a national program, bringing together organizations of all sizes to share stories, research, and public engagement,” said Dr. Peter Robinson, Chair of The Cold War Network. He further added, “This year’s schedule shows just how much momentum there is behind telling this history in new and accessible ways.” During the launch, The Cold War Network also shared progress on two sector resources being developed with support from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All scheme. The resources are being created with member organizations and are aimed at helping build long-term capacity across the heritage sector.
(Image credit: Molly Tunstall/Brimstone Marketing)
The Education Toolkit will help sites deliver curriculum-linked sessions for GCSE and A-Level Cold War studies, along with local history learning for younger audiences. The Engagement Toolkit will focus on volunteer recruitment, event planning, interpretation, community engagement, and organizational sustainability. Training webinars for both toolkits are planned for later in the year. According to Ryan John Ellis, Vice Chair of The Cold War Network, “Alongside the public program, we are investing in the long-term resilience of the sector. The National Lottery Community Fund–supported toolkits are being developed collaboratively with our members to ensure they meet real needs and strengthen capacity across the UK. National Cold War Heritage Week is about public engagement, but it is also about supporting the organizations that keep this history alive, and this year marks a significant step forward.” For more information and to support the Yorkshire Air Museum, click on this link: yorkshireairmuseum.org. Click HERE to support The Cold War Network CIC.
