Areas, buildings and monuments

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.

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

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.

Find out more and apply

Conal McFeely (St Columb’s Hall Trust), Anne-Marie Gallagher (St Columb’s Hall Trust), Dr Paul Mullan (the Heritage Fund) and Helen Quigley (St Columb’s Hall Trust) inside St Columb's Hall.

News

A new dawn for St Columb’s Hall as future is secured

An iconic venue that has been the backdrop to the political and cultural history of Derry/Londonderry will be re-awakened thanks to £751,727 National Lottery funding.

06/02/2023

Colourful illustration of water works building with celebration fireworks drawn by Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake's illustration of the Engine House building, the new home of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. Credit: Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.

Projects

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

Historic waterworks are to become the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration thanks to over £3.75million in funding.

29/11/2022

Magna Fort with Walltown Crags beyond

News

Roman Magna Project to uncover stories of Hadrian’s Wall fort

We have awarded the Vindolanda Charitable Trust over £1.6million to support research excavation and explore the impact of climate change on this important cultural heritage site.

13/12/2022

Group of young people sat around a campfire in a wood

A group of young people engage in outdoor activities.

Projects

West Horsley Place: An historic estate without barriers

Having never been open to the public before, West Horsely Place provides a brand-new heritage offer created in collaboration with local communities.

04/03/2020

Bank Hall in Bretherton, Lancashire

News

Lancashire’s Bank Hall restored to former glory

Thanks to National Lottery support, the Grade II* listed Bank Hall has completed its extraordinary renovation journey and can welcome visitors to explore its heritage.

06/12/2022

St John's Church, Worksop

Projects

St John's Church pairs spire repair with Worksop community activities

An eco church in Nottinghamshire is making urgent repairs to their spire, inviting the local community to engage with the church’s heritage, and creating a social isolation café.

13/10/2022

News

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings reopens after eight-year renovation

The historic Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings - the 'grandparent of skyscrapers' - has opened its doors again following 35 years of closure thanks to £20.7million National Lottery funding.

18/11/2022

The restored Georgian lido Cleveland Pools in Bath lit up at night

Cleveland Pools, Bath. Credit: Historic England Archive

News

At-risk heritage sites saved thanks to National Lottery support

Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register provides an annual snapshot of England’s most valued heritage sites that are at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development. 175 sites have been added to the Register this year. However, it isn’t all bad news as the

10/11/2022

Two people wearing scarlet Chelsea Pensioners' uniform open stable doors at Royal Chelsea Hospital, London with historic building and courtyard behind

Opening the main stable doors for work to begin on the three-year project. Pictured left to right: Chelsea Pensioners, James Little, BEM and Carol Knight.

News

Chelsea Pensioners’ Stable Block to open doors for the first time

A new grant will allow the Royal Hospital Chelsea to publicly open part of its building for the first time, enabling visitors to learn more about its unique history.

09/11/2022

Nish Kumar performing at Union Chapel in front of pulpit and Live at the chapel LED sign

News

Union Chapel to create 200-year archive including greatest music moments

A much-loved chapel, music and community venue and social enterprise in London’s Islington, has been awarded a £1million grant for their Sunday School Stories project.

14/10/2022

St Mary the Virgin Wiveton

Projects

Eco-friendly community action as St Mary's creates a church for the future

An Eco Church in Norfolk aims to prepare and inspire communities throughout the climate emergency, working across heritage, conservation and environmental sectors.

28/04/2022

Wallpaintings at Coventry Charterhouse

Projects

Coventry Grade I listed Charterhouse reopens as living heritage site

The Carthusian monastery, gardens, and surviving interiors opened for the first time as a visitor attraction in May 2023 thanks to National Lottery funding.

27/01/2015