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Landscapes, parks and nature

Landscapes, parks and nature

People landscaping in a Japanese garden in Scotland, with a mountain in the background.
Landscaping in the Japanese Garden at Cowden, Scotland. Credit: Devlin Photo Ltd.
Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more vital.

Since 1994 we have awarded over £2.1billion of National Lottery and other funding to more than 4,900 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.

What we fund

Romney Marsh

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

What we fund

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.

What we fund

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.

What we fund
Volunteer stands in the garden holding a box of vegetables and herbs
Volunteer Jack working in the garden

Projects

Growing Together at Strawberry Hill

Volunteers and apprentices worked together to restore Horace Walpole’s 18th-century garden as a space for the whole community to learn in and enjoy.

A bee pollinating a flower

Projects

Ty Hyll bee initiative

This 18-month project focused on informing and educating about the importance of pollinators.

People on a guided walk to the Secret Garden
A guided walk to the Secret Garden in Dean Road and Manor Road Cemetery, Scarborough

Projects

Saving Scarborough's Secret Garden

Volunteers have revitalised and restored Scarborough's cemetery for local communities to discover the stories of those buried there.

Childrens activities as part of the Heathland Heritage project
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

Projects

Celebrating our Heathland Heritage

Highgate Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an ancient lowland heath in South Staffordshire. It is home to over 5,000 species of insects and 140 species of wasps and solitary bees.

Y gantores o Gymru, Katherine Jenkins, gyda phlant ysgol
Y gantores o Gymru, Katherine Jenkins, yn rhoi’r wobr i blant ysgol

News

Celebs out in force as four HLF projects scoop prestigious award

Best Heritage Project - Heritage Ability Heritage Ability is a project run by a small charity, Living Options Devon. With the unwavering support of 320 volunteers, Heritage Ability is helping 20 heritage destinations in the South West become more accessible. Actress Sally Phillips broke the news of
Young woman holding sign
Lizzie Guntrip at our Heritage Ambassadors' induction. Jeff Gilbert

Blogs

How do we involve young people in nature?

One of our young heritage ambassadors Lizzie Guntrip on how we can make our natural world more accessible.
Pafiliwn y Mount, Fleetwood, Sir Gaerhirfryn
Pafiliwn y Mount, Fleetwood, Sir Gaerhirfryn

News

Good news for Love Parks Week

It’s Love Parks Week and seven country, coastal and urban parks are celebrating a £11.4million National Lottery investment.
Loteri Genedlaethol yn rhoi bywyd newydd i barciau ledled y DU
Y pyllau ym Mharc Maenor Linford Fawr, Milton Keynes

News

National Lottery cash revives run-down UK parks

Country, coastal and urban parks among seven historic greenspaces being revived with £11.4million of National Lottery funding for Love Parks Week
Rhaeadr yng Nghoedwig Dyffryn Penllergare
Rhaeadr yng Nghoedwig Dyffryn Penllergare Richard Hanson

Stories

3 stories from Wales to mark National Gardening Week

To celebrate National Gardening Week, we’ve been speaking to three people who have all been closely involved in exciting, and very different, projects in Wales that have brought heritage gardens back to life.

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