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.

The exterior of Sandycombe Lodge
The exterior of Sandycombe Lodge

Projects

Restoring Sandycombe Lodge

Sandycombe Lodge, the home of painter JMW Turner, has been fully restored thanks to National Lottery funding.

The Victorian theatre at Alexandra Palace
The restored Victorian theatre at Alexandra Palace

Projects

Alexandra Palace: Reclaiming the People's Palace

The project transformed the eastern end of The People’s Palace, following its founders’ original vision to “entertain, inform and educate”.

Children around Durham Cathedral treasures

Projects

Durham Cathedral: Open Treasure - Phase 1

Durham Cathedral is undertaking a project called Open Treasure – a major development that will transform the way in which the cathedral buildings are experienced, understood and used, both as working buildings and to the benefit of those who visit.

Pew Cushion volunteers at St Martin's Bilborough
Pew Cushion volunteers

Projects

Hidden Treasures at St Martin's Church

A neglected medieval parish church was inspired to create a comfortable and welcoming community hub and share their hidden treasures with a new audience.

Volunteers at Middleport Pottery
Volunteers tidying the canal at Middleport Pottery

Projects

Saving Middleport Pottery

The transformation of Middleport Pottery saved traditional skills in danger of being lost and is sparking regeneration of the local area.

Will you spare a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences on using our website?

Take part in the survey