Stretching from St Andrews to Brighton and Belfast to London, these projects build on 215 walking trails we've already helped to create across the UK.

The projects all share our commitment to support nature’s recovery and increase the connectivity of spaces for people and wildlife in rural, suburban and urban areas.

Preserving natural heritage is core to what we do, and we look forward to seeing these projects enhance access to nature and walking for a diverse range of people.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Increasing people’s access to nature

In our latest round of quarterly committee meetings across the UK, the projects we've awarded funding to include:

• National Trust’s Divis and the Black Mountain project (£3m) will create new walking trails connecting people in north and west Belfast to the hills that are an iconic part of the city’s skyline.
• Froglife (£573,078) will create a new London Blue Chain walking route alongside the historic 52-mile London Green Chain. It will also create, restore and connect freshwater habitats which support amphibian and reptile populations.
• Peak District Mosaic’s Championing National Parks for Everyone (£557,955) will continue to raise awareness of and improve accessibility to the Peak District, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, particularly among diverse ethnic communities.
• A Garden Fit For a King (£4.3m) will restore the historic Royal Pavilion Estate in Brighton and Hove, including its unique garden which dates from the Regency period.
• In Scotland, St Andrews Heritage Museum and Garden (£630,688) will be redeveloped with accessibility, sustainability, community outreach and visitor experience in mind.
• Life on the Edge (£2.2m) led by South Devon National Landscape is helping to project some of the UK's most vulnerable invertebrate species inhabiting the cliffs across the coast of South Devon.
• Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust's Unlocking Highgate Cemetery project (awarded £105,000 in development funding towards a potential delivery grant of £6.7m) will develop plans to promote biodiversity and improve access.
• The Clywedog Valley Heritage Partnership led by Groundwork North Wales (awarded £246,530 in development funding towards a potential delivery grant of £1.2m) will reopen heritage sites and run a diverse programme of events along the valley.
• The City of Wolverhampton Council (awarded £217,000 in development funding towards a potential delivery grant of £2.1m) will develop plans to promote the heritage of Smestow Valley Local Reserve, a 4.5km long UNESCO Global Geopark.

Caring for nature for everyone's benefit

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “At a time of year when many of us are looking to get out into the fresh air and walk off the festive excess, I’m thrilled we are supporting projects that will help more people experience the benefits of nature across the UK.

“Preserving natural heritage is core to what we do, and we look forward to seeing these projects enhance access to nature and walking for a diverse range of people. National Lottery funding will help to ensure these outstanding places are valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future.”

We fund natural heritage projects

Protecting the UK’s natural heritage for wildlife and for people to enjoy is central to Heritage 2033, our 10-year strategy. Get inspired by browsing through our landscape, parks and nature projects.