Our funding celebrates the innovative buildings, transport and technology that helped to shape the modern world.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we’ve awarded almost £570million to more than 1,100 industrial, maritime and transport heritage projects across the UK.
We want to help more people conserve their local industrial heritage. Our funding can help pass on to younger generations the skills to look after it.
What do we support?
Projects we fund include:
- printing presses
- pumping engines
- windmills
- historic ships
- locomotives
- natural landscapes transformed by industry
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- uncover and record people’s memories of our industrial past
- give a disused site a new purpose
- restore and maintain operating machinery
- reveal the history of industry in your area
- explore the nation's network of canals
- provide staffed visitor facilities and learning resources
- help young people learn new skills and care for their heritage
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: 1 March 2021.
Full range of National Lottery funding resumes with refocused priorities for 2021-22
Applications are open for National Lottery Grants for Heritage from £3,000 up to £5million. We will prioritise projects that contribute to our recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Building maintenance guidance
The best way to tackle the long term care of historic buildings is to concentrate on regular preventative maintenance.
£8.75million boost for Newport Transporter Bridge
The world’s most complete surviving transporter bridge is set to become a major tourist attraction thanks to an £8.75m National Lottery grant.
Britain’s last major bell foundry saved
The restoration of Loughborough Bellfoundry, thanks to £3.45million National Lottery funding, means the bells can continue to ring out for years to come.
Last surviving D-Day landing craft opens in Portsmouth
Six-year project to restore ship and open it up to the public is completed thanks to £4.7million National Lottery support.
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.
Opening up the story of Northern Ireland's railways to everyone
Disability charity Destined Ltd are improving access to the Foyle Valley Railway Museum.
Disability charity Destined Ltd are improving access to the Foyle Valley Railway Museum.
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.
Developing digital leadership in heritage
Anra Kennedy reports back from Leading the Sector – our digital skills development course for heritage leaders.
Full steam ahead for Merseyside ship following emergency grant
Built in 1913, Steam Tug Kerne served as a Royal Navy ship in the First World War and is the only remaining operational steam tug of her type in the UK. But the sudden hit of coronavirus (COVID-19) meant the Kerne’s days on the water were numbered. Since her retirement as a working vessel, this coal
Making heritage websites accessible to all
When producing our new guide to online accessibility, Alistair McNaught’s research identified how heritage organisations can make their online content open to all. He tells us more.
Blyth Tall Ship kept afloat thanks to National Lottery funding
Blyth Tall Ship was awarded £37,100 from our Heritage Emergency Fund, ensuring that workshops and training opportunities could carry on. The organisation provides young people with invaluable engineering skills through heritage boat building. “We knew we were a vital lifeline for those looking for