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The National Lottery at 25

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.

Chris Packham and Jamal Edwards crossing their fingers like the National Lottery logo

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.
Christmassy number 25

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
Exhibits charting the history of motor sport at The Silverstone Experience

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
People in anoraks learning about Cairngorms

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.
Girl looking at old MRI machine

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
Three children look at Constable painting

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.