Thriving Places

What we mean by place
‘Place’ can mean many things, and definitions vary depending on where you are or who you ask. But examples include a local community, a natural landscape or an entire city.
How heritage supports great places
Many areas across the UK have a ‘sense of place’ that inspires local pride and increases wellbeing.
Heritage sits at the heart of a place’s identity, adding depth, character and value. This can include buildings and monuments, landscapes, high streets and parks.
Heritage helps connect people and communities to a place and boosts local economic prosperity.
Our funding for heritage projects
We welcome projects that take a 'place-based approach'. Place-based working is about:
- identifying challenges and opportunities in the heritage of a place
- developing responses which bring about benefits for both the heritage and the place
- thinking beyond an individual project by considering how it relates to your local area and community
- partnering or coordinating with other organisations to increase the impact of your project
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made this way of working more important than ever. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on communities and local economies in places across the UK.
The heritage sector can play a leading role in their recovery, which is why we refocused our priorities for our National Lottery Grants for Heritage. We are now prioritising projects with outcomes that create better places to live, work and visit, and boost local economies.
See our funding programmes to find out how to apply.
A place funder, not just a project funder
We also support place-based working by:
- devolving decision-making, which enables locally based staff, with local expertise, to assess applications and make awards
- addressing under-representation in our funding of geographical areas experiencing deprivation
- working with local councils and others to connect our funding to wider local priorities
- working with national partners and agencies on major place-based initiatives
Running a place-based project
Need help or inspiration?
You can find useful guidance here:
And discover how heritage can create better places in the project examples below.

News
Cathedrals: bringing the UK’s ancient monuments to life

News
Corby – a town with a centuries-old royal tradition

News
Out of this world: Jodrell Bank's First Light Pavilion set to open

News
Camellia House at Wentworth Woodhouse to bloom again thanks to £4million

Projects
AOF2020: London Borough of Newham
Newham Heritage Month is an annual heritage festival that celebrates the borough’s local heritage, led by the community for the community.

News
Working in partnership to improve places in Scotland

Publications
Great Place Scheme (England & Nations) – final evaluation reports

Videos
What do we mean by heritage?

Publications
The impact of our funding on place

News
Exciting programme of cultural events for Birmingham 2022 Festival

Hub
Areas of Focus

Publications