1. Home
  2. What Is Heritage?
  3. Landscapes, parks and nature

View as PDF

Landscapes, parks and nature

Landscapes, parks and nature

People landscaping in a Japanese garden in Scotland, with a mountain in the background.
Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more vital.

Since 1994 we have awarded over £2.3billion of National Lottery and other funding to 5,300 land, nature and biodiversity projects across the UK. 

Protecting the environment is one of our four Heritage 2033 investment principles. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. 

We are prioritising landscape and nature projects that:

  • support nature’s recovery
  • deliver nature-based solutions to address climate change
  • reconnect people to landscapes, marine environments and nature

The climate crisis

The heritage sector has an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. Find out more about what we're doing to tackle the climate crisis.

What we expect from projects we fund

We want all kinds of heritage project, large and small, to:

  • limit any potential damage on the environment
  • make a positive impact on the environment and particularly for nature

Read our environmental sustainability guidance.

How to get funding

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants funding programme is open, providing grants from £10,000 up to £10million.

Explore our available funding

Find out more

Discover what projects we fund, and what you could do with our investment to help protect our natural world.

A child holds a butterfly while a guide smiles at him

 

We support projects that conserve and enhance habitats and protect and preserve the UK's precious species.

Habitats and species

Romney Marsh

We expect successful projects to show how they will address the key challenges faced by the UK's landscapes and nature.

Landscapes

Green roof of cafe

Public parks are facing a severe reduction in funding from local authorities. This is how we can help your parks and urban green spaces.

Public parks and urban green spaces

A garden with purple flowers and a path leading to a thatched cottage

The UK is world renowned for its wealth of historic designed parks, gardens and cemeteries. Here's how our funding can help look after them.

Gardens and cemeteries
Aerial view of the conservatory and formal gardens at Chiswick House showing dry and yellow grass due to prolongued hot and dry weather
Historic gardens are on the frontline of climate change with severe weather shifts affecting all aspects of designed landscapes. Credit: Chiswick House and Gardens © Chris Gorman, Big Ladder Photography, August 2026.

News

Hotter summers and wetter winters forcing change at historic parks and gardens

We asked owners and managers of historic parks and gardens across the UK about how the climate crisis is affecting the places they care for.
six people stand in a field with tall grass, with countryside fields and a lough in the background
Peter McEvoy, Director of Land Management at Ulster Wildlife stands far right. Also pictured visiting Fedian are, left to right, Sharon Archer, Senior Investment Manager at the Heritage Fund, John Witchell, Ulster Wildlife Chair, Dawn Miskelly, Ulster Wildlife Chief Executive Officer, Giles Knight, Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor and Nikki McVeigh, Northern Ireland Committee Member for the Heritage Fund.

Stories

Grantee Q&A: the Heritage Fund’s flexibility in supporting natural heritage surprised me

Peter McEvoy from Ulster Wildlife shares reflections and advice on the different stages of the nature conservation charity’s project – from writing an application at speed to the surprising amount of nature recovery it’s already supported.
An ariel view of a wetland landscape
Freshwater Millennium wetlands, looking east with Heron’s Wing hide in foreground. Credit: WWT.

News

Over £15million awarded to protect habitats in Wales

Twenty-eight projects have received grants up to £1m to restore and improve biodiversity across land and sea.
The view from Hall Ings to Norfolk Gardens.
Bradford's project will connect communities across the city and nearby towns with nature. Credit: SWECO.

News

Nature Towns and Cities launches with £15million investment

We’re supporting 40 towns and cities across the UK to improve and create accessible green spaces, streets and neighbourhoods.
Three people standing in a field of wild flowers, one is bending down touching the flowers
Drew Bennellick, our Head of Land, Sea and Nature, and Harriet Bennett, Land Management Officer for the Chilterns Landscape Partnership project, with Andrew Stubbings, of Manor Farm, an example of a connected landscape. Photo: Oliver Dixon.

News

£150million funding to enhance and protect the UK’s world-class landscapes

Our strategic initiative, Landscape Connections, will support long-term projects to boost nature recovery and connect more people to our most treasured landscapes.
in a green space in winter young people carry a tarpaulin filled with branches to a bonfire
Youth Rangers (aged 12-17) learn nature conservation skills and make a difference to the green spaces around Luton. Credit: The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

Projects

Luton nature engagement project creates paid traineeships for young people

The Wilder Luton project is helping local people connect with and care for green spaces in the town and the surrounding chalk hills landscape.

A young person walks through a moorland landscape
Nature recovery and improved facilities are helping this special place flourish for the benefit of both wildlife and people. Credit: National Trust images/Chris Lacey.

Projects

Reconnecting people and nature at Divis and the Black Mountain

In 2004, National Lottery players’ support helped The National Trust purchase Divis and the Black Mountain. Now our £3million grant is restoring its natural habitat and improving access for local communities.

A natural water course running alongside farm land.
A natural water course in the Gwent Levels coastal landscape. Credit: Neil Aldridge.

Projects

Supporting nature recovery in Wales

This project will develop practical plans to attract private investment in large-scale nature recovery, creating models that can be used across Wales.

Aerial view of Ebdon Farm buildings and surrounding fields on the Somerset Levels
Nature and habitats will be restored on the former dairy farm at risk from climate change. Credit: John Seager.

Projects

Securing a new home for nature in Somerset

Avon Wildlife Trust are creating a climate resilient nature reserve for the community.

An aerial view of islands on the west coast of Strangford Lough.
Aerial view of islands on the west coast of Strangford Lough taken from Sketrick Island near Whiterock. Credit: Ards and North Down Borough Council.

Projects

Protecting the Strangford and Lecale landscape

Covering over 90,600 hectares, this Landscape Connections project will restore habitats at scale and support communities to lead nature recovery.

A detailed illustrated contemporary folk map outlining the course of the River Teifi
Idris Mathias manuscript map. Credit: The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Projects

Llais yr Afon: Giving a Voice to the River Teifi

This project brought together communities across the Lower Teifi Valley to celebrate and protect the river's rich natural and cultural heritage.

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