Areas, buildings and monuments | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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People walking up steps to a castle with turret

Lincoln Castle. Credit: Colin McLean Photography

Safeguarding our historic buildings, monuments and archaeology for future generations.

Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £3.3billion to more than 10,300 area, historic building and monument projects across the UK. See stories from projects we've funded below.

We provide grants for heritage projects from £10,000–£10million to ensure that heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

These projects can help to sustain jobs, support economic growth and protect heritage at risk. They can also bolster local pride, nurture traditional craft skills and help communities enjoy and make use of the places they care about.

What do we support?

Projects we fund include:

investment in places of worship
conservation and repairs to historic buildings and places
finding appropriate new uses for historic buildings
community archaeology projects

Places of worship

Places of worship are among the UK’s oldest and most cherished historic buildings. We want to help congregations become truly resilient and their buildings genuinely sustainable.

Places of worship we fund

Project ideas

Our funding could help people:

repair and transform a historic building at the heart of their community
help volunteers learn building conservation skills
rescue a building on a Buildings at Risk register
undertake a community archaeology project
regenerate a historic town centre or high street
look after and learn about a local war memorial

How to get funding

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.

Find out more and apply

The exterior of Calverley Old Hall following the restoration.

The exterior of Calverley Old Hall following the restoration.

Projects

Reviving Calverley Old Hall in West Yorkshire

04/10/2024

Conservation of the medieval building along with contemporary design has brought the site into new use as self-catering accommodation and a community space.

05/03/2020

An aerial view of people swimming in the Lido lit up at night

Saltdean Lido at night.

Projects

Saltdean Lido’s iconic 1930s building restored for the community

The much-loved open-air pool complex has been reinstated as the centrepiece of the town’s seafront, following a campaign led by local volunteers.

27/01/2015

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.

Two people standing on an internal balcony in Glasgow's Garnethill synagogue

Heritage Fund Chief Executive Eilish McGuinness with Sue Siegel in Glasgow's Garnethill Synagogue.

Projects

New Futures Programme – former places of worship in Scotland

29/10/2024

This Scotland-wide programme will help secure at risk churches for community use.

26/09/2024

two visitors are given a tour of a timber framed hall by two older gentlemen wearing long black coats at traditional hats

Two Brethren give visitors a tour of the Lord Leycester. Image: Kevin Fern.

Projects

Warwick’s Lord Leycester: 700 years of history restored

The Grade I listed Lord Leycester has been restored, refurbished and further opened up for visitors to enjoy.

11/06/2019

Three people standing at a gate. Behind them are white farm buildings. They are holding a blues circular The NAtional Lottery Heritage FUnd sign

Heritage Fund support for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne.

Projects

Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne

10/10/2024

Around the world people come together singing Auld Lang Syne. National Lottery funding is helping to secure the future of the Scottish farm where Robert Burns wrote it.

10/09/2024

People sitting on deck chairs wearing party hats in front of Birnbeck Pier

Celebrations are underway as we announce £10m of funding to bring the Grade II* listed Birnbeck Pier back to life (left to right: Gill Crocker, Marni Eddins and Lou Eddins).

News

£10million awarded to help save Birnbeck Pier

The unique Victorian landmark has been given a lifeline on its 160th anniversary, thanks to National Lottery players.

28/10/2024

An auditorium full of people watching Wynne Evan’s Townhall Showdown

Newbridge Memo welcomed BBC Radio Wales to host Wynne Evan’s Townhall Showdown. Credit: Newbridge Memo.

Projects

Newbridge’s arts and heritage hub safeguarded for the community

This historic miners’ institute, with its 1920s Art Deco theatre, ballroom and versatile spaces now hosts a variety of activities that benefit local people.

26/03/2020

A front of a red brick building with many chimneys on top of the fish smokehouse

The front of Peterson's following restoration.

Projects

Securing a future for iconic buildings at Grimsby Dock

The Peterson’s Project has restored two important buildings of fishing heritage to their former glory following National Lottery support.

22/11/2018

a market outside a historic brick church in summer

A market at St Mary's Church in Totnes, which received National Lottery funding earlier this year. Photo: Adam Glennon.

News

How we’ll help secure the future of the UK’s places of worship

We expect to invest £100million in churches, chapels, synagogues, gurdwaras and more over the next three years.

10/09/2024

A group of people in hard hats and hi-vis jackets standing under Glasgow Meat Market's historic sheds.

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland (centre) with Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, and representatives of Glasgow Meat Market Regeneration CIC.

Projects

A thriving community hub is taking shape at Glasgow's Meat Market

Regeneration plans for Glasgow’s former East End Meat Market to become a thriving hub for community, sport and local business have been given a huge boost with the announcement of £2.3million of National Lottery support.

08/09/2021

Two people smiling and sitting on camping chairs on an allotment

The Birmingham Allotment Project participants enjoying their plot. Credit: The Birmingham Allotment Project.

Stories

Protecting the environment: ten ideas for built heritage and community projects

From reducing and reusing materials and eco-friendly websites to a woodland for boatbuilders, these projects show how all types of heritage can make positive changes for our planet.