Industrial, maritime and transport

Celebrating the innovative buildings, transport and technology that helped shape the modern world.

Since 1994 we have awarded £630million to 1,600 industrial, maritime and transport projects across the UK.

We want to help more people conserve their local industrial heritage and pass on skills to younger generations.

What do we support?

Projects we fund include:

printing presses
pumping engines
windmills
historic ships
locomotives
natural landscapes transformed by industry

Project ideas

Our funding could help people:

uncover and record people’s memories of our industrial past
give a disused site a new purpose
restore and maintain operating machinery
reveal the history of industry in your area
explore the nation's network of canals
provide staffed visitor facilities and learning resources
help young people learn new skills and care for their heritage

See the stories and projects below for more inspiration.

How to get funding

If you have an idea for a project, we would love to hear from you.

Explore our available funding

Two Skylark IX volunteers work on building a wooden rowing boat

Two Skylark IX volunteers honing their boatbuilding skills

Stories

Recovery and resilience: advice from a heritage project improving skills and wellbeing

In Dumbarton, Scotland, The Skylark IX Recovery Trust is preserving a Second World War rescue ship through heritage training opportunities to support local people, including those recovering from drug addiction.

A group of people including children turn Bourn Windmill

Visitors turning Bourn Windmill. Photo: Cambridgeshire ACRE

News

From facing collapse to welcoming visitors: the UK’s oldest windmill reopens

Bourn Mill in Cambridgeshire - which dates from the reign of King Henry VIII - reopened to the public on National Mills Weekend.

16/05/2023

A car crosses the Union Chain Bridge, a small restored suspension bridge over a river.

The Union Chain Bridge reopens to traffic following major restoration project. Credit: Northumberland County Council

News

Oldest vehicle suspension bridge in the world reopens

This World Heritage Day we celebrate the reopening of the iconic Union Chain Bridge that has connected England and Scotland for 202 years.

18/04/2023

Photograph of two women holding up a flag while standing on a boat.

Projects

Shefarers: Platforming untold stories of Suffolk’s women maritime workers

Women of the Seven Seas aims to transform a historic sailing barge into a participatory research hub, where ‘Shefarers’ contribute stories of living and working on the water.

22/03/2023

An arial view of Crystal Palace Park, including the dinosaurs

Crystal Palace Park Photo: Chris Gorman.

News

More than £24million awarded to heritage projects across the UK

From John O’Groats to Penzance, across Wales and Northern Ireland, we’re supporting the protection and conservation of parks, built heritage, memories and more.

28/03/2023

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

People in period costumes with children in front of an old train

Tour guides at the Foyle Valley Railway and Transport Museum posing with visitors. Credit: Destined

Stories

Why you should involve people with lived experience in your heritage project

An interpretive centre run by people with learning disabilities is showcasing Derry/Londonderry’s historic railway heritage and highlighting the importance of inclusion.

Person smiling at camera with boat in the background

Videos

Clive Gray is the National Lottery Awards Heritage Winner for 2022

Clive Gray’s National Lottery Award recognises his incredible leadership of Blyth Tall Ship, which changes lives through maritime heritage skills training, volunteering and experiences.

London International Cruise Terminal and Riverside Station, Tilbury, by David Anstiss, licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0

Projects

Back on Track: Tilbury Riverside Station

This project will restore and celebrate the Grade II* listed Tilbury Cruise Terminal, where the Empire Windrush docked in 1948 to bring Commonwealth citizens to the UK.

08/06/2022

The First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank (right had side) with the Lovell telescope in the background (left hand side)

The Lovell Telescope and the First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank. Credit: Andrew Brooks

News

Out of this world: Jodrell Bank's First Light Pavilion set to open

The First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank opens this Saturday thanks to £12.5million raised by National Lottery players – the state-of-the-art attraction is a must-see for 2022.

31/05/2022