News and stories | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Two hikers walk away down a dirt track into an open, green expanse of the Brecon Beacons, on a sunny day.

Hikers in the Brecon Beacons. Credit: Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.

News

Habitats across Wales to benefit from vital £2.7million investment

Eleven projects have received up to £250,000 Nature Networks Fund grants to protect, preserve and promote natural heritage across the nation.

21/01/2025

A view from above of the water tower in Colchester, standing high above other buildings

Sun rising on Jumbo in Colchester. Photo: Chris Gorman.

News

£27million awarded to save seven lesser-known UK heritage treasures

The newly funded projects span the UK from Bristol to Belfast and Edinburgh to Essex, saving exceptional and much-loved heritage buildings at risk.

14/01/2025

Looking over salt marsh on Cleethorpes coast.

Salt marsh on Cleethorpes coast. Credit: North East Lincolnshire Council.

News

£10million funding milestone for North East Lincolnshire’s heritage

Since 2019, we’ve supported over 30 projects across North East Lincolnshire with a focus on heritage-led regeneration.

09/01/2025

An interior view of a church altar with stained glass windows in the background

Interior view of St George’s Church in Jesmond.

News

We’re supporting communities to secure the future of their churches

In our latest round of funding decisions, we’ve awarded £1.25million to eight projects with exciting and innovative people-centred plans.

23/12/2024

People looking at display cases in a mezzanine gallery.

Manchester Museum’s experimental Top Floor supports collective action in response to the climate and ecological crises. Credit: Manchester Museum.

News

Enter the Sustainable Project of the Year award 2025

We’re proud to sponsor the sustainability prize at the Museums + Heritage awards, celebrating outstanding projects and exhibitions that are addressing the climate crisis.

20/11/2024

The National Lottery Heritage Fund acknowledgement stamp etched onto a circular glass plaque with a fretwork boarder. The plaque sits in front of a colourful tiled floor and an ironwork grate

Creative acknowledgement at St Mary's, Shrewsbury.

Stories

Spotlight on the winner of our acknowledgement competition

Anthony Willder from the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) speaks about planning acknowledgement at St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury, sharing top tips to inspire other projects.

People look up at the hull of SS Great Britain from within the dry dock

Visitors get an incredible view of Brunel’s SS Great Britain from the dry dock.

News

Get involved in #HeritageTreasures on 14 January 2025

Heritage Treasures Day is our annual moment to showcase the amazing diverse heritage across the UK.

18/12/2024

Two people sitting outside carving wood at woodworking benches

A woodworking workshop at Abney Park.

Stories

Saving heritage: nine ways projects are protecting the past

From restoring historic buildings and threatened habitats to keeping skills and traditions alive, projects we fund are making sure heritage is conserved and cared for, now and in the future.

Blogs

Looking back on our 30th year and towards the opportunities for heritage ahead

Our Chief Executive marks the end of the year by revisiting some of the wonderful projects we've funded and reminding us of the difference heritage makes to people and communities across the UK.

16/12/2024

A person at an archaeological dig site holds up a piece of stone which has been excavated

DigVentures will engage 4,000 participants to help map archaeological sites and ecological habits in the third phase of its Heritage Innovation Fund project.

News

Heritage organisations to share innovative solutions to workforce challenges

The third phase of our Heritage Innovation Fund is supporting projects across the UK to roll out creative new ways of working.

05/12/2024

Two people sit in chairs holding hands with their other hands touching the leaves of a potted plant. Wires run from the plant to pads on the people's wrists. A smiling person in a Sense t-shirt watches.

Taking an inclusive approach to evaluation helps measure a wider range of people’s engagement. Image: Sense.

Stories

Involving disabled people in planning and evaluation makes heritage more inclusive

Sense and the National Trust’s innovative and flexible approach is making sure everyone’s experiences are represented.

A National Lottery scratchcard held in front of a large building with classical architecture and lawn

News

Sign up your project for National Lottery Open Week 2025

It’s a great way to acknowledge your Heritage Fund grant, reach new audiences and benefit from a UK-wide PR campaign.

26/11/2024

A yellow building on a city street with a writing saying Glasgow Zine Library

Stories

Preserving the unique experiences and advice of people from the past

Glasgow Zine Library is not only saving and sharing heritage but supporting the production of it for the future, too.

Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in the great outdoors. Photo: Wayfinding project.

Stories

Inclusion, access and participation: eight ways to improve your project’s reach and impact

Find out how projects we’ve funded are finding creative ways to open up heritage, involve audiences and create better opportunities to take part.

A hand holding a photograph of an eagle landing on a wooden perch, in front of that same wooden perch in a mountainous landscape

News

Nine ‘game changing’ heritage moments made possible by National Lottery funding

Celebrating the impact of 30 years of grant giving, from the natural environment to our maritime and transport legacy.

19/11/2024

A large red brick building with a white tower featuring a clock at the centre of its length.

Stories

30 projects across 30 years

To celebrate our – and the National Lottery’s – birthday, we’re looking back at some of the incredible variety of projects we’ve supported over the years.

An Asian brass band, with musicians and dancers dressed in colourful clothes, walking down a path in front of a stately home

An Indian brass band was part of the celebrations at Wentworth Woodhouse's outdoor family event, WE Wonder, in 2023.

Stories

Turning a stately home into a ‘house of opportunity’

How one project has successfully engaged its community with their local heritage and created benefits beyond just visiting.

A mixed-race boy looking at an artichoke in a field

A young boy taking part in a community gardening project as part of Nextdoor Nature. Image: Gavin Dickson.

News

Our local nature initiative reached eight times further than planned

When we invested £5million in Nextdoor Nature, our partnership with The Wildlife Trusts, we aimed to reach 200 communities. Instead, we reached 1,600.

11/11/2024

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