Nine ‘game changing’ heritage moments made possible by National Lottery funding | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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19/11/2024

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

Since its launch in November 1994, The National Lottery has raised over £50billion for good causes. We have distributed over £8.6bn of that to more than 47,000 heritage projects across the UK.

These projects are often the culmination of years of commitment, belief and volunteering. They bring people and communities together and build pride in place.

To mark the 30th birthday of the National Lottery today – and 30 years of funding for heritage – 30 game changing moments are being showcased in a creative photography exhibition hosted by the National Portrait Gallery.

Artist Thomas Duke has used a picture-in-picture technique, mixing past and present, to recreate some of the most important and iconic achievements made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Heritage highlights

Among the selected moments are nine heritage projects which received significant National Lottery funding.

It’s thanks to players of the National Lottery over the past 30 years, and those to come, that our shared heritage will be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The Eden Project

A hand holding a photograph of two people standing inside a geodesic dome, with that same geodesic dome in the background — The Eden Project – a series of giant conservatories built in a disused clay pit – opens in Cornwall, in 2001

The Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre

A hand holding a photograph of two men sitting on rock columns, in front of those same rock columns — The Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre in County Antrim is opened by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, in 2012

The Mary Rose Museum

A hand holding a photograph of a person wearing a protective suit among the wreck of a ship, in front of that same wrecked ship — The Mary Rose Museum, which houses the wreck of Henry VIII’s famous ship, opens in Portsmouth, in 2013

Bletchley Park

A hand holding a photograph of a man sitting at a desk, in front of that same desk in an office — Bletchley Park, home to Allied codebreaking efforts during the Second World War, reopens after major restoration, in 2014

Richard III reinterned in Leicester Cathedral

A hand holding a photograph of a coffin on display in a cathedral, within that same cathedral — Richard III – whose body was famously discovered buried under a carpark – is reinterned in Leicester Cathedral, in 2015

Golden eagles reintroduced

A hand holding a photograph of an eagle landing on a wooden perch, in front of that same wooden perch in a mountainous landscape — Golden eagles are reintroduced in Dumfries, Galloway and the Scottish Borders, in 2018

The Remembrance art installation ‘Poppies: Wave and Weeping Window’

A hand holding a photograph of a domed building with an installation of red poppies flowing from a window in the roof, in front of that same building — The Remembrance art installation ‘Poppies: Wave and Weeping Window’ is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London in 2018

The Flying Scotsman

A hand holding a photograph of a train gushing steam as it prepares to pull away from the station, on the platform of that same station — The Flying Scotsman steams again, kicking off its centenary celebrations in Edinburgh, in 2023

Fern the Diplodocus

A hand holding a photograph of a model dinosaur skeleton in a garden, in front of that same skeleton in the garden outside an ornate building — Fern the Diplodocus is unveiled in the new garden at The Natural History Museum, London, in 2024

Inspiring people and pride

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The National Lottery has been a game changer for heritage, funding thousands of projects across the UK to inspire people, connect communities and create a pride in the places we live and work.

“Capturing these game changing moments reflects our incredibly diverse heritage – from the archaeology under our feet, historic buildings and our maritime legacy, to precious memories and collections, sweeping landscapes, parks and rare wildlife.

“It’s thanks to players of the National Lottery over the past 30 years, and those to come, that our shared heritage will be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”

Explore all 30 photographs in the Game Changing Moments exhibition on the National Portrait Gallery’s website.

Get involved

Celebrate The National Lottery’s 30th birthday and those who’ve make these moments possible by sharing a crossed fingered selfie on social media today (19 November). Tag us at @HeritageFundUK and use the hashtag #ThanksToYou in your posts.

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