Areas, buildings and monuments

Areas, buildings and monuments

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.

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.

A canal boat at Finsley Gate Wharf
A canal boat at Finsley Gate Wharf

Projects

Finsley Gate Restoration

A historic, disused canal wharf in Burnley’s Weavers Triangle conservation area is being rescued and restored by the Canal & River Trust.

The newly re-opened Corn Hall
The newly re-opened Corn Hall

Projects

Diss Heritage Triangle & Diss Corn Hall

Diss Town Council led on a project to regenerate the town’s Heritage Triangle, with the historic Corn Hall at its centre.

The auditorium, restored to its original state in 1932 with exact replica seating
The auditorium, restored to its original state in 1932 with exact replica seating

Projects

The Restoration of the Plaza Stockport

The Stockport Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre has been painstakingly restored to its exact opening day condition.

Binham Priory monastic ruins
Binham Priory monastic ruins

Projects

Binham Priory Access and Conservation Project

Binham Priory, one of Norfolk’s most impressive monastic ruins, has been conserved and repaired, with increased access for the public.

Young people visiting the Burns Birthplace Museum

Projects

BURNS BIRTHPLACE: An International Museum

Voted Scotland ‘s Greatest Scot and known in his home country simply as ‘the Bard’, it is thanks to National Lottery funding that Robert Burns now has a museum worthy of his international status.

Outside view of the Roundhouse in Derby

Projects

Derby College - The Roundhouse

The distinctive Roundhouse is an iconic landmark building in Derby. The site has now been converted for use by Derby College, to provide a central, easily accessible campus.

People exploring Scotland's rural past
People exploring Scotland's rural past

Projects

Scotland's Rural Past (SRP)

Raising awareness of Scotland’s rural heritage by encouraging and enabling people to discover, explore, share and help protect their local heritage through learning and volunteering.

Children taking part in arts and crafts session
Children taking part in arts and crafts session

Projects

Welcoming young people to historic houses

The National Trust welcomed local families to four London properties and trained volunteers and staff to make them feel welcome.

The restored Tithe Barn and courtyard in Monmouthshire, Wales.
The restored Tithe Barn and courtyard in Monmouthshire, Wales.

Projects

Tithe Barn Restoration Project

The Tithe Barn, part of St Mary’s Priory Abergavenny, has been preserved and stabilised, ensuring future visitors can enjoy and learn about its history.

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