Museums, libraries and archives
Museums, libraries and archives tell the stories of our cultural heritage.
Through preservation, exhibition and community engagement, they can bring collections, places and ideas to life. They help us to understand culture, science and history, and give us a sense of place, identity and community.
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.
What do we support?
We provide grants for heritage projects from £10,000–£10million for projects led by or featuring museums, libraries and archives.
Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:
- national, local authority and independent museums, libraries and archives
- historic libraries
- community archives and oral history collections
- institutions with heritage collections
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- attract new and more diverse audiences
- acquire new items and develop collections
- improve organisational resilience
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.
News
£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
News
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
News
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
News
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
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Local schools preliminary Charting Chipeling dig
Children, aged 4–11, came from Bolton-on-Swale St. Mary’s Primary Church of England School, Brompton-on-Swale Church of England and North and South Cowton Community Primary schools to dig in the grounds of the Jacobean Hall with local Archaeologist, Jim Brightman, of Solstice Heritage. Mr Brightman
16 to 60: A Woman's Voice - Young Roots project to discover the histroy of Pakistani, Bengali and Somali communities in Cardiff
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Young Roots offering up to £50,000 for Welsh heritage projects
Young people can get as creative as they like in interpreting what heritage means to them - previous projects have organised masquerade balls, photography exhibitions, fashion shows and even a circus performance. 11-25 year olds wanting to apply should come up with a creative idea and join up with a
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Sheffield cares for the wounded
The fascinating exhibition, which opens its doors to the public on Thursday 26 June 2014, will highlight the awe-inspiring work of the 3rd West Riding Field Ambulance on the Western Front in France and Flanders during the most horrific war the world has ever experienced. The inspirational stories of
News
Love Barrow, Love Heritage
Over the past 20 years, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has invested £8m into conserving Barrow’s heritage and helping local people explore their past. Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Barrow-in-Furness is packed to the rafters with some wonderful heritage. From
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Beamish Museum looking forward to the 1950s
Over the next five years the popular Living Museum that tells the story of everyday working life will be transformed, creating new ways for people to enjoy the heritage of the North East. The centrepiece will be a ‘new’ 1950s Town and Farm, filled with objects and buildings donated by local people
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Canterbury Cathedral celebrates!
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced earmarked funding worth £72million for six major sites in England: Canterbury Cathedral, Mother Church of the Anglican Communion and a World Heritage Site Nottingham Castle, backdrop to some of England’s most powerful folk stories Bath Abbey, one
News
£12.8m to bring Plymouth's legends to life at major new attraction
Plymouth is celebrating a truly historic moment after scooping earmarked funding of £12.8million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to create a major new historic and cultural attraction at the very heart of the city. The HLF today announced the results of its major grants (applications of £5m and
News
£11.5m grant for National Army Museum expansion
The grant will help fund the museum’s ambitious Building for the Future project - a radical transformation of its offer, set to deliver new opportunities for accessing the Museum and its Collection.After receiving initial HLF support for the project in 2012, NAM, based in Chelsea, London, has been