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.

An aerial view of Albert Avenue outdoor swimming pool in Hull

Albert Avenue outdoor swimming pool in Hull.

Projects

A lido revolution: championing outdoor swimming

The Pooling Resources project, led by Future Lidos, has developed and delivered a digital toolkit to support the revival of lidos across the UK.

05/12/2022

A family look at a bird nesting box display

RSPB Belfast Window on Wildlife is offering free entry.

News

Hundreds of special heritage offers across the UK this spring

National Lottery Open Week is back, taking place from Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 March.

27/02/2024

Two people look at an overgrown pond, one person is wearing waders

Restoring a green space in Brighton. Photo: The Wild Mind Project.

Projects

Wild Mind LGBTQ+ natural heritage wellbeing workshops

The Wild Mind Project is restoring a neglected green space in Brighton through nature programmes for the young LGBTQ+ community.

02/08/2023

Two people talking and walking through a parkland

People walking through Kingswood Park.

Projects

Kingswood Park receives £2.6million for restoration

Kingswood Park in South Gloucestershire is the only significant local green space for its community.

14/09/2021

A head and shoulders image of Helen Featherstone

Helen Featherstone.

Blogs

A year as Director of England, North: resilience and saving heritage

Our Director of England, North Helen Featherstone reflects on her first year in the role, the needs of heritage organisations in the North and our commitment to supporting resilience.

15/02/2024

A young woman walks through a moorland landscape

Walking at Divis and the Black Mountain. Credit: National Trust images/Chris Lacey.

Projects

Nature restoration and community access central to Divis and the Black Mountain transformation

Over £4.6million of heritage funding has been secured for Belfast’s largest urban green space over the past 20 years.

03/03/2020

Two people holding shovels and dressed for cold weather walk through a doorway in a wall

Xavier Mahele and Kate Bradbury from Froglife, which is receiving support for the London Blue Chain project.

News

We've awarded £15.6million to help people get out into nature

From urban walking routes and dramatic wild landscapes to Regency gardens, we’re funding projects that will connect communities with their natural heritage.

16/01/2024

water plants floating on the surface of a river

Programme

Nature Networks Fund (round four)

Awarding grants from £50,000 to £1million, this fund aims to strengthen the resilience of Wales’ network of protected land and marine sites.

Four people play musical instruments including the drums and guitar in front of memorabilia from the Punk era

Punk: Rage & Revolution takes home the England Project of the Year Award.

News

Success for heritage projects in the National Lottery Awards

Leaders from six projects we’ve funded have taken home a prize this year.

23/10/2023

3) A visitor using a mobility scooter in the Wellbeing Garden at RHS Garden Wisley

The Wellbeing Garden is one of the many spaces with improved accessibility at RHS Garden Wisley.

Stories

RHS Garden Wisley elevates accessibility and participation through collaborative initiatives

Wisley set out to increase the physical accessibility of their spaces, but with commitment and help from partners their journey led them down a much more ambitious path.

Adults with complex care needs in a garden

It can be hard for people with complex disabilities and medical conditions to access nature and heritage.

Projects

Sense’s project blossoms in National Trust gardens

‘Internal Gardens’ used wearable technology to help people with complex disabilities create tactile connections with natural heritage.

28/04/2022

The Horniman Museum featuring a clock tower stands tall behind greenery

The clock tower of the Horniman Museum

News

Visit our Habitats of Hope exhibition at the Horniman Museum

From 30 November–10 December we are showcasing inspiring heritage projects that have enabled the survival of some of the UK’s rarest animal species, thanks to National Lottery support.

30/11/2023