Industrial, maritime and transport
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
A new lease of life for Sailing Barge Cambria
This project repaired the last fully sailing Thames trading barge, and converted her into an educational resource.
Projects
National Museums at Chatham - No 1 Smithery
A derelict Grade II* listed smithery at the heart of Chatham Historic Dockyard was conserved and transformed creating a home for the National Model Ship Collection.
Projects
The road ahead: New exhibitions at the Heritage Motor Centre
Through a series of new exhibitions, The Road Ahead project retold the story of British motor manufacturing and its importance to the people of the West Midlands.
Projects
Refurbishment of Monkwearmouth Station Museum
Monkwearmouth Station Museum is housed in a Grade II-listed building, under ownership of Sunderland City Council.
Projects
Richmond Station Regeneration Project
A volunteer-run charity acquired Grade II* listed Richmond Station in North Yorkshire and transformed it into a self-sustaining heritage and leisure attraction for the local community.
Projects
Cutty Sark Conservation Project
The Cutty Sark conservation project has helped to save one of the world’s last surviving tea clippers and provided generations to come with a new way to engage with the ship and explore her history.
Projects
Building resilience in Sunderland ship-building heritage charity
Sunderland’s 600-year-old ship building heritage is celebrated by the enthusiastic volunteers of Sunderland Maritime Heritage (SMH).
Projects
Industrial railway trail - display track and viewing area
The construction of a demonstration light railway has preserved vital engineering skills, and helped young people get in touch with their heritage.
Projects
George Elmy Heritage Project
Following the eBay purchase of the derelict George Elmy lifeboat by a group of dedicated volunteers, this project sought to return the lifeboat to its former glory and use it to learn about their local heritage.
Projects
Securing the future of SS Great Britain
This conservation project has protected SS Great Britain from corrosion, meaning more people can explore the ship and discover maritime heritage in Bristol.
Projects
Big Pit: National Mining Museum of Wales
Big Pit Mining Museum, with its underground workings, buildings, machinery and extensive collections, is the best surviving example of the mining industry in Wales.
Projects
Gas Girls: women workers in Avonmouth First World War Mustard Gas factories
Inspired by the stories of women who worked in Mustard Gas factories in Bristol during the First World War, local people researched this hidden history and performed a play.