Landscapes, parks and nature | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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People landscaping in a Japanese garden in Scotland, with a mountain in the background.

Landscaping in the Japanese Garden at Cowden, Scotland. Credit: Devlin Photo Ltd.

Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more vital.

Since 1994 we have awarded over £2.1billion of National Lottery and other funding to more than 4,900 land, nature and biodiversity projects across the UK.

Protecting the environment is one of our four Heritage 2033 investment principles. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

We are prioritising landscape and nature projects that:

support nature’s recovery
deliver nature-based solutions to address climate change
reconnect people to landscapes, marine environments and nature

The climate crisis

The heritage sector has an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. Find out more about what we're doing to tackle the climate crisis.

What we expect from projects we fund

We want all kinds of heritage project, large and small, to:

limit any potential damage on the environment
make a positive impact on the environment and particularly for nature

Read our environmental sustainability guidance.

How to get funding

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants funding programme is open, providing grants from £10,000 up to £10million.

Explore our available funding

Find out more

Discover what projects we fund, and what you could do with our investment to help protect our natural world.

A child holds a butterfly while a guide smiles at him

We support projects that conserve and enhance habitats and protect and preserve the UK's precious species.

Romney Marsh

We expect successful projects to show how they will address the key challenges faced by the UK's landscapes and nature.

Green roof of cafe

Public parks are facing a severe reduction in funding from local authorities. This is how we can help your parks and urban green spaces.

Landscapes, parks and nature

The UK is world renowned for its wealth of historic designed parks, gardens and cemeteries. Here's how our funding can help look after them.

Beckenham Place Park celebrates major restoration

News

Beckenham Place Park celebrates major restoration

Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham is celebrating the completion of a major National Lottery-funded restoration.

19/07/2019

Alan Stapleton. Credit: Beth Harper

Alan Stapleton. Credit: Beth Harper

News

Why should we count butterflies?

It’s time for the Big Butterfly Count! Alan Stapleton, a volunteer helping some of our most endangered butterfly species, explains why it's so important to get involved.

18/07/2019

The Smooth Snake is an endangered species in England

News

Lifeline for UK’s rarest reptile, the smooth snake

It’s World Snake Day and the smooth snake, the UK’s rarest reptile, has been awarded a National Lottery lifeline.

16/07/2019

Holywells Park

News

Our 25-year love affair with public parks

In 2019, we celebrate 25 years of supporting heritage good causes around the country.

12/07/2019

Peter Fellows

Blogs

We can stop nature's decline - this is how we're doing it on the Isle of Wight

UNESCO has recognised the Isle of Wight as a Biosphere Reserve. Thanks in big part to The National Lottery, we can prove that nature and people can co-exist.

09/07/2019

North York Moors communities to help revitalise Rye’s rivers

News

Communities to help revitalise Ryedale’s rivers, thanks to National Lottery funding

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded nearly £2million to a “fantastic” four-year project set to look after the landscapes of the River Rye.

03/07/2019

Brompton Cemetery

News

Saving spectacular Brompton Cemetery for community and wildlife

Built in 1840, Brompton is one of London's Magnificent Seven cemeteries. But more recently, it had suffered from neglect and lack of investment, and many of its structures were labelled as 'at risk'. Late last year it re-opened, having been "revived and revitalised", brought back to life and back

03/07/2019

Portrush coastline

News

New app reveals hidden heritage of Portrush

As golf's oldest championship The Open returns to Portrush in County Antrim this month, a new app is set to reveal more about the town's lesser-known heritage.

01/07/2019

Ynys Cybi Holy Island

News

Wales' natural heritage boosted by £4million from National Lottery

The grants are part of a £10m cash boost split between eight projects. Protecting iconic landscapes With Wales famous for its rugged landscapes, the rocky island of Ynys Cybi off the western coast of Anglesey, and the imposing Carneddau uplands area of northern Snowdonia, are no exception. Thanks to

28/06/2019

Scarlet tiger moth

News

Million insects saved as part of £8million of National Lottery funding

A million bugs Oxford University Museum of Natural History’s British Insect Collection has over a million specimens from the 18th century to today, including some that are now extinct. Spanning nearly the entire history of British entomology, the collection is vital in understating the extent and

26/06/2019

Two men in a steam train

News

National Lottery funding for three volunteer-led projects in Scotland

Three new projects in Scotland, with volunteering at their heart, have secured significant support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

25/06/2019

Bournemouth Central Gardens

News

National Trust and National Lottery team up for Future Parks initiative

It’s the first project of its kind in the UK and a pioneering partnership between the National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with support from government. Through a package of grants and expert guidance, Future Parks aims to tackle, head on, the growing financial challenges facing

17/06/2019