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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 £3.6billion to 10,800 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
an aerial photo of St Edmundsbury cathedral and ruined abbey in the town of Bury St Edmunds
The abbey is named after Edmund, a Saxon king of East Anglia who was killed by Danish raiders in 869. Credit: Tom Soper Photography.

Projects

The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn

In Bury St Edmunds, the ruins of one of England’s great medieval abbeys are being conserved, with new interpretation, access and activities to better connect the abbey with the nearby cathedral and town.

People are gathered in the pews at St Mary Le Strand, with a person speaking at the front.
Prayer in St Mary-le-Strand. Credit David Parry.

Projects

Saving The Strand’s iconic church

The Jewel in the Strand project is restoring the Grade I-listed baroque landmark in central London.

The exterior of two eighteenth century buildings, one is black and white with arched doorways and the other is pale yellow with green accents and arched windows
The existing museum at 59 Castle Street (pictured right) will expand into number 57, to make a gallery space nearly four times its current size. Credit: Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services.

Projects

Reviving Ballycastle Museum – the gateway to a coastal community

A listed 18th-century courthouse and market building in Ballycastle’s Conservation Area will undergo conservation repairs. Together, they’ll become a dedicated space for exploring local heritage.

A close up of a church spire with oak shingle slates.
The spire of Porlock's St Dubricius Church made out of oak shingle. Credit: St Dubricius Church Parochial Church Council.

Projects

Saving the rare spire on Porlock’s church

The Grade I listed St Dubricius Church in Somerset will restore its oak-shingled spire and safeguard the building for future generations.

An artist’s impression of an exhibition space in a former synagogue with a balcony and stained-glass windows
Once complete, the centre will host exhibitions and events on Jewish life in Wales. Credit: Neil Richardson, Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre.

Projects

Establishing Wales’ first Jewish cultural centre

An abandoned synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil will open its doors for the first time in two decades as a new hub for Welsh Jewish heritage.

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.

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