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.
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HLF East of England welcomes new committee member
Joff has extensive experience working within the arts and heritage sector delivering programmes for learners of all ages and backgrounds. He is currently ACE Bridge programme manager for Norfolk and Suffolk working to connect young people with great arts, heritage and culture. The HLF Committee for
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Tyne & Wear in the First World War
Delivered in partnership with Sunderland Museums and Heritage, ‘Wor Life 1914-18’, funded in part through a £205,700 HLF grant, will explore the contribution of Tyne and Wear to the First World War and delve into the war’s effect on the region. The impact of the war will be showcased through a
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World’s first iron-hulled boat comes home to the Monkland Canal
The full scale replica of the Vulcan, the world’s first iron-hulled boat, arrived at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge today (Thursday 27 March) and will soon capture the imaginations of visitors as a major heritage attraction. Named for the Roman god of forge and fire, the
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Oldest music venue celebrates to the tune of £800,000
The initiative to transform St Cecilia’s Hall in Edinburgh has been awarded £823,500 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The award is a key part of the University of Edinburgh’s £6.5million vision to create a centre for the study, display and enjoyment of instruments which date back to the sixteenth
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Ed Vaizey opens London Museum of Water and Steam
Following its £2.3million re-development grant, London’s greatest Victorian steam pumping station reopens under a new name. The London Museum of Water and Steam opens to the public on Saturday 22 March, (following a press launch on Friday 21 March), as part of the UN designated World Water Day
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Bradford YMCA to investigate Tea and Remembrance
The project will focus on the positive impact the YMCA made during the war through the provision of tea huts, providing much needed refreshment and respite for the troops. The project will run for a year and will have a 'home base' at Culture Fusion, on Thornton Road in Bradford’s city centre.Young
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Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales secures major collection of works by John Piper
The series of works by Piper – the mid-20th century neo-romantic artist – has been purchased from a private individual with links to Wales, thanks to the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund (£472,900), the Derek Williams Trust (£350,000) and the Art Fund (£80,000).Much of the collection
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Remarkable First World War story of Mabel Stobart to be told
Dorset County Museum is proud to announce an exciting new exhibition of national and international interest. Mabel Stobart: A Dorset Woman at War will open at the museum on Saturday 31 May 2014 to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War. The exhibition, which has been funded by a £9
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Investing £5million in UK’s natural heritage
These projects will bring together a variety of partners to protect and nurture some of our most precious and vulnerable habitats and species and are part of a wider package of £16m of HLF support, also announced today. Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund is one
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Sheffield craft that built the world
Ken Hawley Collection Trust gains Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) support to improve knowledge of Sheffield’s unique tool making and cutlery industry.
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Morley and the Home Front
Awarded through HLF’s First World War: then and now programme, the project will focus on the home front and how the onset of the Great War had significant impact on local life. Rachael Kennedy, Town Events Manager is leading on this project and explained: “This series of events will enable the local
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Hendrix and Handel: Baroque and roll
Hendrix lived in the top floor flat of 23 Brook Street from 1968 to 1969, and described it as “the only home I ever had”. Ironically, the adjoining No. 25, was occupied by the great baroque composer George Frideric Handel two centuries before. This historic connection between rock and the baroque