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Areas, buildings and monuments

Areas, buildings and monuments

exterior view of a large norman castle in the middle of a city
We've supported Norwich Castle's transformation with £13million in funding.
Safeguarding our historic buildings, monuments and archaeology for future generations.

Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £3.4billion to more than 10,600 area, historic building and monument projects across the UK. See stories from projects we've funded below.

We provide grants for heritage projects from £10,000–£10million to ensure that heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

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:

  • investment in places of worship
  • conservation and repairs to historic buildings and places
  • finding appropriate new uses for historic buildings
  • community archaeology projects

Places of worship

Places of worship are among the UK’s oldest and most cherished historic buildings. We want to help congregations become truly resilient and their buildings genuinely sustainable.

Places of worship we fund

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

How to get funding

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.

Find out more and apply
Two children stand outside the fence of the Tower of London, smiling.
The Waterloo Block was originally a barracks and is now home to the Jewel House. Credit: Historic Royal Palaces.

Projects

Expanding learning opportunities at the Tower of London

Its historic Waterloo Block will be home to a new learning and community centre, creating modern and accessible facilities for schools and groups.

Three groups of young people are reading plays outside of the exterior of the Poor Priests' Hospital.
The project is inspiring children and young people and helping them feel connected to the building’s heritage. Credit: Richard Lakos.

Projects

Transforming the Poor Priests’ Hospital in Canterbury

The 800-year-old Grade I listed building and wider site will be repaired and repurposed as a free, accessible space for the community.

A group of young people are smiling outdoors.
Young people have played a key role in shaping plans. Credit: 1625 Independent People.

Projects

Supporting young lives at Kingsley Hall

Our funding is restoring a Grade II* listed building in Bristol and securing its future as a vital hub for disadvantaged young people.

The exterior of a red brick former synagogue at sunrise
ARK is bringing life back into the former synagogue. Credit: Nathan Jones.

Stories

A Margate building’s journey from synagogue to art centre

Jan Ryan, Director of ARK Cliftonville, shares how the cultural space, based in a former place of worship, is getting the balance right between preserving and celebrating the building's Jewish cultural heritage and adapting it for new uses.
Two young people looking at collection items on display.
Victoria and Albert South Kensington is transforming its South Asia gallery for the first time since 1990. Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum.

News

We’ve invested £25million to connect young people with heritage

From safeguarding sharks to performing Shakespeare, our latest grants are creating opportunities for young people to explore, learn about and develop in heritage.
The sun setting over The Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory. Credit: Chris Gorman / The Big Ladder.

Projects

Transforming the Royal Observatory Greenwich

The 350-year-old site is the UK’s first purpose-built scientific institution. We're funding urgent conservation and significant upgrades to improve the visitor experience.

a rural historic church with a spire viewed from a drone
St John the Baptist Church, near Ludlow, is Grade II listed. Photo: ijenko ltd

Projects

Saving at-risk heritage at a rural Shropshire church

At St John the Baptist Church in Nash, storm damage and the climate crisis have accelerated the deterioration of the medieval church’s rare 16th-century spire over the past 20 years.

The Anglesey Column
The Anglesey Column Trust has redeveloped the monument and its surrounding area. Credit: Tony Starczewski.

Projects

Saving Anglesey Column

The iconic piece of 19th-century architecture has been restored and reopened to welcome new generations to one of Ynys Môn’s most distinctive landmarks.

A woman takes part in a blacksmithing workshop, hitting heated metal with a hammer.
The project, alongside regenerating valued historic buildings, will provide heritage skills training for local people. Photo: IceCream Architecture.

Projects

Investing in Ayrshire's heritage, supporting a coastal community

Four key buildings, treasured by the community, are at the centre of a major programme of conservation and placemaking supporting the historic centre of Girvan.

If you query is regarding our application portal, please contact our support team.