Museums, libraries and archives
Through objects, collections, film, documents and oral histories they help to give us a sense of place and identity.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £2.4billion to 5,900 museum, library, archive and collection-based projects across the UK.
What do we support?
Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:
- national and local authority museums, libraries and archives
- historic libraries
- community archives
- institutions with heritage collections
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- attract more diverse audiences
- interpret and open up acquisitions
- develop collections
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.
Projects
Exeter Cathedral Another Chapter - Chapter 2
This project focused on learning in Exeter Cathedral by creating exciting spaces for learning.
Projects
Transforming the Old Magnus Buildings into a National Civil War Centre
The project will see the conservation and restoration of the Old Magnus Buildings, and its transformation into a new museum.
Projects
Information Age, Science Museum
The Information Age gallery at the Science Museum is the first permanent gallery in the UK dedicated to the history of information and communication technologies.
Projects
Completing Kettle's Yard
An HLF grant enabled Kettle’s Yard to create greater public access and improve the care of the collection.
Projects
Ditchling Museum Development Project
The Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft used the Heritage Grants programme to fund a project to revamp its collections and premises.
Projects
Dickens Community Archive
The Portsmouth Museums and Records Service encouraged local community groups to explore their family, community and local history.
Projects
Bethlem's Museum of the Mind
This three-year project was designed to re-house the museum and archive, increasing public access to the history of mental illness.
Projects
Peterborough Museum Re-Development
The aim of this project was to refurbish and enhance the Grade II listed building of Peterborough Museum and redisplay a number of galleries.
Projects
The William Morris Gallery Development Project
The 18th-century, Grade II* listed building has been completely refurbished, revealing many of the original Georgian features for the first time.
Projects
Restoration Bonded Stores
After closing its doors to the public and putting its collection into storage, funding from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Welsh Government enabled the trust to restore this historic building.
Projects
Redeveloping the site at Fort Nelson, Portsmouth
Funding was awarded to improve the visitor facilities and storage conditions at Fort Nelson, a 19-acre Victorian gun fort, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour.
Projects
Rock Band: the UK's geological heritage
Five museums and heritage organisations in the south east of England found new ways to engage audiences with their geological collections.