Areas, buildings and monuments
Lincoln Castle.
Credit: Colin McLean Photography
Safeguarding our historic buildings, monuments and archaeology for future generations.
Since 1994 we have awarded £3.3billion to more than 10,300 area, historic building and monument projects across the UK.
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
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.
Argraffiad gan artist o sut bydd y safle'n edrych ar ôl iddi cael ei adfywio
News
Bakers, brewers and baristas: breathing new life into a historic Welsh harbour town
HLF has earmarked £3.3million to regenerate the former slate quay on Caernarfon waterfront, transforming it into a vibrant shopping and tourist hotspot fit for the craftsmen of today.
Stories
Changing lives: Bishop Auckland brothers take castle by storm
The Robinson brothers had never visited nearby Auckland Castle until an HLF-supported project saw them step through its doors for the first time.
Mae hen adeilad yr YMCA ar bromenâd Pontmorlais wedi ei adnewyddu eisoes gyda rhywfaint o’r £10 miliwn o arian Treftadaeth Tirlun CDL
News
Heritage investment in Merthyr hits £10m thanks to National Lottery players
A south Wales town that is synonymous with the country’s industrial heritage is looking to transform its centre, thanks to £1.2million from HLF.
Llwyn Celyn
News
Llwyn Celyn features in Channel 4 series
HLF/Landmark Trust project to rescue rare 15th-century building to be featured on Channel 4.
Reverend Bill Shaw, 174 Trust Director
Blogs
Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts – one year on
Ahead of a visit by HLF’s new chair, Sir Peter Luff, Reverend Bill Shaw reflects on the first year of success at the Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts.
Richard Bellamy, Pennaeth CDL yng Nghyrmu
Blogs
Diving in to heritage at Pontypridd Lido
Last week the much-loved Pontypridd Lido re-opened after almost a quarter of a century. Our new Head of HLF Wales, Richard Bellamy, explains why its story is so important to him.
Mwynhau Lido Pontypridd Lido
News
Making a splash at the opening of Pontypridd Lido
Today sees the doors of much-loved Pontypridd lido re-open.
Golygfa allanol Llwyn Celyn
News
Heritage Lottery Fund awards £2.5million to the Landmark Trust to rescue rare medieval site
The Landmark Trust is delighted to announce HLF funding to rescue Llwyn Celyn, a rare late 15th-century building within the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Plas Aberglasne
News
Aberglasney inspiring the next generation of heritage gardeners
Aberglasney Restoration Trust is to create a 'miniature college' in Carmarthenshire to teach the young people to become heritage horticultural experts.
Gerddi Aberglasney, Sir Gaerfyrddin.
News
£2.6million Heritage Lottery grants for Wales’ churches, wildlife and wells
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is investing £2.6million in projects across Wales. The National Lottery funding will provide much needed support for Wales’ heritage.
Castell Aberteifi, Ceredigion
News
Lord Rhys’ original Eisteddfod recreated to celebrate completion of his castle
Cardigan Castle, birthplace of the Eisteddfod – Wales’ iconic cultural festival – once again saw its mighty walls filled with the sounds of traditional music and literature, as the castle played host to a celebratory concert last night (25 June).
Pont Gadwyni Hanesyddol Llangollen yn ail-agor i’r cyhoedd ar ôl 30 mlynedd
News
Historic Llangollen Chain Bridge re-opened to the public after 30 years
Llangollen Chain Bridge will today be re-opened to the public for the first time in over 30 years. Eddie Butler, rugby commentator and presenter of the former BBC Wales series Hidden Histories, will officially re-open the bridge which is thought to be the oldest chain links bridge in the world.