The National Lottery at 25
The National Lottery celebrates its 25th Birthday in 2019 and the £40billion raised for good causes in that time has had an extraordinary impact on life here in the UK, ushering in a golden age for UK heritage.
Since the first draw took place on 19 November 1994, The National Lottery has brought about a renaissance in our national heritage, transforming many of our great institutions and reaching into every community in the land.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s investment amounts to £8billion so far. From Bute to Blaenavon and Derry to Dungeness, we’ve funded more than 44,000 projects in our 25 years.
Explore below to discover stories of people across the UK celebrating, reviving and sharing their heritage thanks to The National Lottery.
Stories
Nine ways to celebrate 2019
This year, we celebrated 25 years of looking after the nation’s heritage. But that’s not all that happened – here are some of our highlights.
Blogs
Telling the nation's stories
Our outgoing chair Sir Peter Luff looks back at five years at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Stories
25 years: our advent calendar
Heritage can be so many things – memories, archives, parks, museums, landscapes, culture... This month we present just a small selection of some fantastic projects supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund over the past 25 years. We'll be sharing a different project on each day of advent
Stories
25 years: astronaut Tim Peake celebrates National Lottery funding for world of science
Major Tim Peake reveals ten top scientific attractions in the UK to celebrate The National Lottery’s 25th Birthday - and the £596million it was awarded to science museums and science and education projects.
Stories
25 years: The Silverstone Experience says #ThanksToYou!
In October 2019, the brand-new Silverstone Experience opened its doors to the public at the famous motor racing circuit. Housed in a former Second World War RAF hangar, and seven years in the making, it allows visitors to journey through the history of motor sport and Silverstone’s fascinating
Stories
Free offers across the UK for National Lottery players
Hundreds of visitor attractions are to open for free or provide special offers for National Lottery players.
Stories
25 years: what has The National Lottery ever done for us?
It's time to say: "Happy 25th Birthday!" But what has The National Lottery ever done for us?
Stories
25 years: we share our memories
It's 25 years since The National Lottery began. In celebration, staff from The National Lottery Heritage Fund take a look back at some of our favourite memories.
News
Inspiring Medicine galleries open at the Science Museum
Opening just a few days before The National Lottery’s 25th Birthday, support for Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries brings National Lottery investment at the London museum to nearly £34million. "Telling those stories has opened up whole worlds of scientific heritage to be enjoyed and to inspire new
Stories
25 years of funding for UK heritage: our film
It was on 19 November 1994 that the first #NationalLottery draw took place. Since then, £8billion from ticket sales has been awarded to more than 44,000 heritage projects, improving the lives of millions of people across the UK.
News
25 years: stars launch free offers for National Lottery players
British rapper and TV star Big Narstie launches hundreds of free offers for National Lottery players at 600 of the UK’s treasured and historic places.
Stories
10 ways to help make a difference to the natural world
Together, our gardens and outdoor spaces create a vast living landscape. With an estimated 24million gardens in the UK, you can help make a big difference to the natural world right on your doorstep.