Thriving Places | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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People sitting in a sunny park, near a bandstand

Pearson Park in Kingston upon Hull

We are committed to supporting heritage projects that create better places to live, work and visit.

What we mean by place

‘Place’ can mean many things, and definitions vary depending on where you are or who you ask. But examples include a local community, a natural landscape or an entire city.

How heritage supports great places

Many areas across the UK have a ‘sense of place’ that inspires local pride and increases wellbeing.

Heritage sits at the heart of a place’s identity, adding depth, character and value. This can include buildings and monuments, landscapes, high streets and parks.

Heritage helps connect people and communities to a place and boosts local economic prosperity.

Our funding for heritage projects

We welcome projects that take a 'place-based approach'. Place-based working is about:

identifying challenges and opportunities in the heritage of a place
developing responses which bring about benefits for both the heritage and the place
thinking beyond an individual project by considering how it relates to your local area and community
partnering or coordinating with other organisations to increase the impact of your project

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently prioritising projects that create better places to live, work and visit, and boost local economies.

See our funding programmes to find out how to apply.

A place funder, not just a project funder

We also support place-based working by:

devolving decision-making, which enables locally based staff, with local expertise, to assess applications and make awards
addressing under-representation in our funding of geographical areas experiencing deprivation
working with local councils and others to connect our funding to wider local priorities
working with national partners and agencies on major place-based initiatives

Running a place-based project

Need help or inspiration?

You can find useful guidance here:

And discover how heritage can create better places in the project examples below.

A group of people with handmade props and decorations

Act for Action CIC, recipients of a community heritage grant from One Knowsley.

Projects

Supporting people in Knowsley to explore their heritage

The Knowsley Golden Thread project will champion inclusivity and enable groups, organisations and local communities to drive their involvement in heritage.

22/01/2024

The western end of Sauchiehall Street at dusk: on the right people are walking and cycling by a People Make Glasgow banner and on the left a group of people are standing outside a bar

Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, which will be revitalised with input from the community and local organisations.

Projects

Sauchiehall Street: Culture and Heritage District

A long-term effort to regenerate Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street has received support through our Heritage Places initiative.

27/03/2024

Large brick pottery kilns at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent is famous for its pottery and ceramics heritage, showcased at places such as Gladstone Pottery Museum.

Projects

Consultation and collaboration guiding Stoke-on-Trent’s heritage regeneration plans

Stoke-on-Trent City Council are creating a Heritage Collaboration Framework, empowering communities to have their say on how heritage can regenerate their area.

15/02/2024

a night-time view of Great Yarmouth's waterfront

Great Yarmouth.

Stories

Case study: heritage supporting revitalisation in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft

Heritage Fund investment has helped kickstart regeneration in the seaside towns with broad economic and social benefits.

Computer render of the refurbished Winter Gardens: and iron and glass building with open spaces, lush plants and visitors.

An artist's impression of the redevelopment plans for the Winter Gardens.

Projects

Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens - Reimagining the People's Palace

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is restoring the UK’s last surviving Victorian ironwork seaside winter gardens.

29/06/2021

A windmill with houses in the background set against a blue sky

Basic Page

Strategic initiatives

We support and invest in heritage in multiple ways. Find out more about some of our planned interventions and how we’ll deliver 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 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

Two young boys taking part in a performance with two women. Photo credit: Andrew Baker.

Publications

How our targeted funding is improving confidence and collaboration

In the fourth year of our Areas of Focus initiative, we examine how our support is benefiting communities and their heritage in our 13 target areas.

Front elevation of The Court House, Bangor building in the evening.

The Court House, Bangor.

Projects

How a derelict building on Bangor’s seafront became Northern Ireland’s newest venue

Thanks to overwhelming community support, Open House turned a former bank and court house in Bangor into a contemporary music venue, saving it from dereliction.

13/03/2018

A person walks on a path under trees and next to a lake in summer

Improving access to parks and green space.

News

Two awards for a programme putting nature at the heart of thriving urban places

The Future Parks Accelerator programme, a joint initiative with the National Trust, has won Social Project of the Year and the prestigious Overall Project of the Year Award.

21/11/2023

Ted at his shop in Forest Gate

Ted at Etty & Tyler motor and cycle repair shop in Forest Gate.

Projects

Full Cycle: a history of cycling in Forest Gate

This project will look at the cycling history of Forest Gate in Newham – an important cycling epicentre in the late 19th century close to Epping Forest.

04/10/2023