Industrial, maritime and transport
Casting a bell at Taylor's Bellfoundry. Photo: Katelyn Collins.
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.
Projects
Vital volunteers preserve and share railway heritage
Thanks to National Lottery funding and the support of their dedicated volunteers, the Railway Preservation Society for Ireland (RPSI) have been able to preserve and bring the story of Ireland’s railways to life.
A Transport for Wales train
News
Boosting biodiversity at Welsh railway stations
A grant of £100,000 will see train passengers in South East Wales and North Wales getting closer to nature.
CGI visualisation of restored Newport Transporter Bridge
News
£8.75million boost for Newport Transporter Bridge
The world’s most complete surviving transporter bridge is set to become a major tourist attraction thanks to an £8.75m National Lottery grant.
Stories
Britain’s last major bell foundry saved
The restoration of Loughborough Bellfoundry, thanks to £3.45million National Lottery funding, means the bells can continue to ring out for years to come.
News
Last surviving D-Day landing craft opens in Portsmouth
Six-year project to restore ship and open it up to the public is completed thanks to £4.7million National Lottery support.
Martha having a costume fitting
Projects
Foyle Valley Transport and Railway Museum
Disability charity Destined Ltd are improving access to the Foyle Valley Railway Museum.
Stories
Full steam ahead for Merseyside ship following emergency grant
Built in 1913, Steam Tug Kerne served as a Royal Navy ship in the First World War and is the only remaining operational steam tug of her type in the UK. But the sudden hit of coronavirus (COVID-19) meant the Kerne’s days on the water were numbered. Since her retirement as a working vessel, this coal
Trainee Scott Dixon
News
Blyth Tall Ship kept afloat thanks to National Lottery funding
Blyth Tall Ship was awarded £37,100 from our Heritage Emergency Fund, ensuring that workshops and training opportunities could carry on. The organisation provides young people with invaluable engineering skills through heritage boat building. “We knew we were a vital lifeline for those looking for
Undergrowth, Isle of Wight Railway. Credit: John Faulkner
News
Heritage railways saved from 'serious jeopardy'
There is a light at the end of the tunnel for heritage railways stopped in their tracks by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
S.E.5e biplane
News
Great War Aerodrome staves off ruin thanks to emergency funding
Our Heritage Emergency Fund is helping to ensure Europe's last remaining operational First World War aerodrome will live to fight another day.
News
Historic ironworks Brymbo to tell its 300million-year story
The former iron and steelworks near Wrexham, north Wales, will be transformed into a visitor attraction, community hub and business space.
News
£13.6million National Lottery boost for Hull's maritime heritage
800 years of Hull’s maritime history to be placed at heart of its future thanks to "game-changer" regeneration plans.