Celebrating the innovative buildings, transport and technology that helped to shape the modern world.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we’ve awarded almost £590million to more than 1,400 industrial, maritime and transport heritage projects across the UK.
We want to help more people conserve their local industrial heritage. Our funding can pave the way for skills to be passed on to younger generations.
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
See the stories and projects below for more inspiration.
Stories
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.
Martha having a costume fitting
Projects
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.
Stories
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
News
Windermere Jetty opens its doors with help from volunteer John
This weekend Windermere Jetty: Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories opens its doors to the public for the first time ever.
CGI visualisation of restored Newport Transporter Bridge
News
£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.
News
25 years: restoring the prosperity and pride of Blaenavon
Blaenavon: a community reborn Perched high on a South Wales hillside, Blaenavon is a community forged from the heat, smoke and dust of the Industrial Revolution. Its ironworks and coal pit provided the majority of the town’s residents with employment until 1980. The town's shops, churches, chapels
Basic Page
How we're tackling climate change
In our corporate plan we have committed to play our part in tackling climate change – both within our organisation and in our grant giving.
All types of heritage organisation can take the DASH survey
News
Calling all heritage organisations: address your digital needs by taking the DASH survey
What is the DASH survey? Developing digital skills can help heritage organisations weather the COVID-19 pandemic and move towards a more resilient, creative future. But understanding how best to use digital can feel like a large and daunting prospect. The Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage
Projects
Roundhouse Birmingham: historical discovery, outdoor activities and urban enterprise
This iconic building has been brought back to life and is now inviting people to #SeeTheCityDifferently.
Programme
Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage - Continuity Support
Part of the rescue package announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to safeguard cultural and heritage organisations across England from the economic impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Programme
Digital Skills for Heritage Tranche 8: Digital Volunteering funding
Funding is available for organisations and partnerships to create and support new digital volunteering opportunities.
Site of the new marine park at Plymouth.
Credit: Chris Gorman/Big Ladder Photography
Projects
Building Plymouth Sound, the UK’s first National Marine Park
We are granting £9.5million to support the creation of Plymouth Sound's 'Park in the Sea', helping communities get on, in and under the water.
Site of the new marine park at Plymouth.
Credit: Chris Gorman/Big Ladder Photography
News
Heritage Horizon Awards: £50million to five life-changing projects
From the Scottish mountains to England's southwest coast, these big heritage ideas champion environmental, community and cultural heritage.
Programme
Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage – Emergency Resource Support
Part of the rescue package announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to safeguard cultural and heritage organisations across England from the economic impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
News
£1.5million for Anglesey Column and Cardiff’s Flat Holm Island
A monument to a Napoleonic War hero and a nature haven which is home to a former cholera hospital are getting a £1.5m boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales.
Projects
"Part of a community": volunteers help preserve railway heritage
Thanks to National Lottery funding and the support of their dedicated volunteers, the Railway Preservation Society for Ireland (RPSI) have been able to preserve and bring the story of Ireland’s railways to life.
Boundary Way allotments, Wolverhampton
News
Our new report uncovers impact of COVID-19 crisis on heritage
We commissioned Renaisi to find out how heritage organisations across the UK used our emergency funding, which was delivered at speed from April last year. The report reveals the positive impact the Heritage Emergency Fund had on the sector, as we distributed £49,829,600 to 961 heritage
News
Brush up your business skills and strengthen resilience
Applications are open for training and development opportunities to help heritage organisations build better businesses.