Industrial, maritime and transport

Industrial, maritime and transport

Three people stand inside a factory casting a large bell. Molten metal pours from a container held in the air by a hoist
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.

Women wearing uniforms, stood at tables in a factory, making biscuits.
Women working in Carr's biscuit factory

Projects

Celebrating the Spirit of the Cracker Packers

This inspiring community heritage project explores the fascinating lives of Carlisle’s ‘Cracker Packers’ through the ages.

Members of the group during film production
Participants producing a film about the industrial and social history of Winlaton

Projects

Winlaton's Industrial Past

Trained volunteers supported people with learning disabilities to explore the industrial and social history of Winlaton in Gateshead.

People in historic dress at Scruton Station
Interactive history sessions at Scruton Station

Projects

Scruton station heritage and educational programme

Restored Victorian Railway station brought to life through vibrant education programme and improved interpretation to connect with local communities.

The Cambria in sail whilst moored as a visitor attraction at St Katharine’s Docks
The Cambria in sail whilst moored as a visitor attraction at St Katharine’s Docks

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.

Inside Chatham Historic Dockyard
Inside Chatham Historic Dockyard

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.

Front view of The Station, Richmond
Front view of The Station. Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust

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.

Underneath the Cutty Sark

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.

If you query is regarding our application portal, please contact our support team.