£200million funding for Heritage Places will boost local economies and pride in place

£200million funding for Heritage Places will boost local economies and pride in place

Torquay on the South Devon coast, with Torre Abbey in the foreground.
Torquay on the South Devon coast, with Torre Abbey in the foreground.
We’re forging long-term partnerships with towns and cities across the UK as part of a 10-year journey to help places thrive by unlocking the potential of their heritage.

Nine locations, announced today, will receive targeted support as part of our new Heritage Places initiative. Another 11 will be announced as part of our next three-year plan.  

For the last 30 years, the Heritage Fund has invested in heritage making better places for communities to live, work and visit. 

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund 

We’re committing £200m to help areas across the UK thrive 

By 2033, 20 long-term projects will be transforming towns, cities and landscapes using a dedicated funding pot of £200m. The first nine places are: 

  • Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 
  • County Durham 
  • Glasgow  
  • Leicester 
  • Medway 
  • Neath Port Talbot 
  • North-East Lincolnshire 
  • Stoke-on-Trent 
  • Torbay 

Delivering our Heritage 2033 strategy 

The launch of Heritage Places is another step in the delivery of our Heritage 2033 strategy, launched in March 2023. This strategic initiative is part of our long-term vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. 

Our Heritage Places is designed to support in challenging times, to achieve even greater impact, and commits our funding for the long-term. 

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund 

The Heritage Places were chosen through an evidence-based approach which combined new quantitative research with local insight to identify places with heritage needs, opportunities and potential. 

A sign with place names on it
Our nine new Heritage Places continue our long-standing work to save heritage for the benefit of everyone.

Made possible by National Lottery players 

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “For the last 30 years, the Heritage Fund has invested in heritage making better places for communities to live, work and visit. Our Heritage Places builds on this and is designed to support in challenging times, to achieve even greater impact, and commits our funding for the long-term. 

“Celebrating and preserving our history, architecture, landscape and culture is not just important for its own sake, it plays a vital role in connecting communities, bringing joy and supporting economic regeneration.” 

Heritage is at the heart of Torbay’s future 

Torbay, one of the first nine Heritage Places, sees heritage as the heart of its plans to develop the English Riviera towns on the South Devon coast. Caring for its outstanding historic assets and sharing their stories is key to maximising the social, cultural and economic benefits of heritage for communities and visitors. 

Martin Thomas, Executive Director of Torbay Culture, said: “The new 10-year strategic place partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a genuine step change in how to support local heritage.”  

We fund heritage regeneration projects 

Heritage Places is just one of the ways we can support projects and places across the UK. 

If you’re considering a heritage-led project to transform a place like a high street, historic quarter or natural landscape, you can apply for up to £10m through our National Lottery Grants for Heritage. Explore our funding.

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