Thanks to National Lottery players, two projects will work to conserve these historic buildings and create innovative new learning spaces for visitors and local people.

Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF West Midlands, said: “This is an important investment that will help to protect and enhance Worcester’s rich heritage for years to come. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, these two transformational projects will work to create exciting new spaces and cement the buildings’ places in the city’s significant cultural offer.”

Worcester Cathedral - a centre for learning, heritage and arts

Over £1m has been earmarked for a project to open up the 12th-century undercroft at Worcester Cathedral to the public for the first time. A former monastic cellar, the space will be transformed into a unique new learning centre with teaching rooms, storage and administration space, reception area, and a lift.

The three-year project aims to provide a permanent venue for the Cathedral’s award-winning education programme, reaching more people across Worcestershire and beyond. It would also enable conservation and research on the internationally significant ‘Christ in Majesty’ 13th-century stone carving.

[quote=Vanessa Harbar, HLF]"This is an important investment that will help to protect and enhance Worcester’s rich heritage for years to come."[/quote]

Development funding of £168,000 has been awarded to the Cathedral by HLF to progress the project in order to apply for a full grant of just over £1m at a later date.

Sound and art at St Swithun’s

The Churches Conservation Trust has received a confirmed £1.64m National Lottery grant from HLF for a project to transform St Swithun’s into an inspirational sensory space and cultural venue.

Located in the heart of Worcester, the Grade I listed church will install ground-breaking new interpretation, which will creatively use sound and art to engage, enthuse and inspire a greater connection to heritage and history.

Previously awarded HLF development funding of £196,100, Sound and Art @ St Swithun’s (SASS) will enable the splendid Georgian architecture to be repaired, transforming the building into a cutting edge space and run an exciting programme of events, from night-time tours to training placements.