Museums, libraries and archives
Museums, libraries and archives tell the stories of our cultural heritage.
Through objects, collections, film, documents and oral histories they help to give us a sense of place and identity.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £2.5billion to 6,000 museum, library, archive and collection-based 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.
What do we support?
Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:
- national and local authority museums, libraries and archives
- historic libraries
- community archives
- institutions with heritage collections
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- attract more diverse audiences
- interpret and open up acquisitions
- develop collections
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.
William Bowen Stephens was a resident of Narberth and his letters describe his experiences on the frontline.
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Letters from the Front - Lottery Funding for Narberth Museum
As a result of a £9,200 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund through their First World War: Then and Now programme, Narberth Museum will research the letters of William Bowen Stephens who shared his experiences on the frontline with friends and family at home in west Wales as part of the Letters
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HLF helps lift the curtain on Citizens Theatre redevelopment
Originally opened in 1878 as a variety theatre in Glasgow’s Gorbals, the Citz, as it is affectionately known, became home to the Citizens Theatre Company in 1945, launching the careers of actors such as Stanley Baxter, Bill Paterson, Rupert Everett, Gary Oldman, Helen Baxendale, Alan Rickman and
Roberts Park
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Public parks under threat
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund has published State of UK Public Parks 2014: Renaissance to risk? its first report to comprehensively review the condition and management of the UK’s public parks. Two decades of public and Lottery investment has ensured that the majority of UK parks are in better
Hedd Wyn
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£2.8million Lottery grant success for Hedd Wyn’s home
As Wales embarks on four years of First World War commemorations, the HLF is playing a key role in the centenary by conserving the Grade II* listed home of the iconic Welsh poet who lost his life in the conflict. Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known by his bardic name, Hedd Wyn, was raised at Yr
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London Transport Museum unveils restored B-type ‘battle’ bus
London Transport Museum has unveiled a restored double deck open top B-type bus as part of its commemorations of the First World War. The B-type bus No. B2737, appeared in public for the first time in Covent Garden on 12 June 2014 - resplendent in its red and cream livery, and featuring
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Archaeological investigations of Barnsley Pals training camp
To mark the Centenary of the First World War, this project will enable local people in the Barnsley area to be involved with the archaeological, geophysical and landscape survey of the Silverwood Newhall Training Camp site. This project will add to the understanding of the Barnsley Pals battalion’s
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Wales at War
The impact of the First World War is still felt by us today. It is both a sad but significant part of our national heritage, our national story and our national culture. But the scope of HLF funded work is not just at local level. We are also funding several national, Wales-wide projects which look
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Just Imagine life without National Lottery funding
To highlight the difference this money makes to real people and projects a short animated film, narrated by Ricky Tomlinson and starring Ricky, Chris Hoy and Beth Tweddle will be launched on 28 April. The film connects people and projects across the UK and asks the nation to imagine what life would
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£34.5m Lottery investment in UK’s public parks
Today the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund announced £34.5million of investment in 13 parks across the UK. This new funding follows the publication of the HLF’s recent report (26 June) which revealed the UK’s public parks are at serious risk of decline unless innovative new ways of
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Beverley Georgian Festival celebrates
A nine day Georgian Festival is planned in the historic East Yorkshire market town of Beverley. This exciting project will mark and celebrate the 300th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King George I and the completion of Beverley’s Market Cross. The Festival Committee, led by Beverley
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Walkley Community Centre unveils restored First World War memorial windows
Representatives of the men’s families are gathering from across the country for the first time to attend the unveiling. The ceremony will take place on Sunday 3rd August — the centenary of the eve of Britain’s entry into the war. The Club is now Walkley Community Centre and the windows were
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The Folly in Settle helps to launch Craven’s First World War commemorations
Visitors can look forward to learning about the recruitment of volunteers and the commandeering of local horses following the outbreak of war, as well some of the lesser-known stories, such as the Belgian refugees who were brought to Settle and the efforts of local people to raise money and support