![A photo of the inside of Leicester Cathedral during a service, taken from a high perspective within the building](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_body_full/public/media/imgs/leicester_cathedral_revealed.jpg.webp?itok=_gHbGiyS)
Heritage Grants
Our funding is helping to protect the historic building and interpret and share its heritage. Flexibility has been built into Leicester Cathedral's spaces, enhancing its function as a cultural venue while maintaining its sacred atmosphere.
The transformation has improved the cathedral's lighting and decoration, and installed an accessible, environmentally-friendly heated limestone floor. The new floor respects the cathedral's historic setting and better meets the needs of the cathedral and its visitors.
The final phase of the project is a Heritage Learning Centre joined to the cathedral, which will open in late summer 2024. This multi-purpose space will be a hub for reflection and engagement, housing an interactive exhibition and dedicated learning and community area.
Our funding has also supported:
- repairs to crumbling stonework, including restoring parapets and rebuilding buttresses and facing stones
- adding new grotesques, carved to look like creatures with local associations or significance
- building capacity and recruiting and training staff and volunteers to deliver an activity programme to welcome broader audiences
![A photo taken inside Leicester Cathedral showing the altar, pulpit, lectern and the building's architecture including stone arches and columns](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_body_full/public/leicester_cathedral.jpg.webp?itok=mGOuaqX1)
Leicester Cathedral was recently featured on the BBC TV show Digging for Britain (segment begins at 49 minutes).
The Reverend Canon Karen Rooms, Acting Dean of Leicester, said: “We are restoring and renewing Leicester Cathedral so that it can be its very best as a place of worship, heritage, pilgrimage, hospitality, learning, sanctuary and celebration."
Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players, visitors from far and wide will be able to visit the cathedral and see the fantastic conservation work and improvements that have been undertaken."