Looking after historic buildings, monuments and archaeology ensures that we can safeguard the places people love for future generations.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded almost £3billion to more than 9,000 historic building and monument projects across the UK.
These projects can help to sustain jobs, support economic growth and protect heritage at risk. They can also bolster local pride, nurture traditional craft skills and help communities enjoy and make use of the places they care about.
What do we support?
Projects we fund include:
- Conservation and repairs to historic buildings and places
- Finding appropriate new uses for historic buildings
- Community archaeology projects
- Investment in places of worship
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- repair and transform a historic building at the heart of their community
- help volunteers learn building conservation skills
- rescue a building on a Buildings at Risk register
- undertake a community archaeology project
- regenerate a historic town centre or high street
- look after and learn about a local war memorial
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We have halted all new grants until at least October 2020. Organisations in need can apply for our £50m Heritage Emergency Fund. Find out more and apply.
Responding to coronavirus (COVID-19)
How we are helping the people and organisations working across the heritage sector. Last updated: 18 January 2021.
£1.9m to help Highlands heritage
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has invested £1.9million to support the development of three spectacular Scottish heritage sites.
Skell Valley Project: revealing, restoring and celebrating the river and its heritage
Skell Valley in North Yorkshire is frequently impacted by flooding due to the effects of climate change.
Alexandra Palace saved from risk of closure thanks to £2.9million grant
London landmark is on the ‘route to recovery’ as government emergency funding for culture hits £1billion.
Disability History Month: recognising access in its many forms
For Disability History Month, Jonathan Mace and Heather Brown reflect on how their National Lottery funded heritage projects consider a variety of access needs.
Stonehenge illuminated in dedication to unsung champions of UK heritage
The historic takeover, unveiled by TV historian Sir Tony Robinson, is in honour of eight heritage heroes who have kept National Lottery funded projects going during the pandemic.
Historic Town Hall given National Lottery funding boost
The wonderful Rochdale Town Hall has been given the green light for a much-anticipated revamp, thanks to £8.3million of National Lottery funding.
National Lottery funding helps save at-risk historic sites
As Historic England publishes the latest Heritage at Risk Register, we look at some historic sites that have been removed from the register, helped by National Lottery funding.
New small grants programme to explore community heritage in Wales
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has partnered with Cadw – the Welsh historic environment body – to support projects that connect communities with heritage in their local area.
Heritage Emergency Fund lifeline for Insole Court
A grant of £103,600 is helping the much-loved Victorian mansion in Cardiff stay open and serve the local community.
Heritage Emergency Fund supports hundreds of organisations across the UK
Our Heritage Emergency Fund helped more than 950 organisations across the UK to cope with the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Glastonbury Abbey reopens thanks to emergency funding
After closing completely due to the coronavirus pandemic, Glastonbury Abbey has been able to reopen safely thanks to National Lottery emergency funding.
Developing digital leadership in heritage
Anra Kennedy reports back from Leading the Sector – our digital skills development course for heritage leaders.