Thriving Places
![People sitting in a sunny park, near a bandstand](/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_desktop/public/media/imgs/Bandstand_Pearson%20Park_North_0.jpg.webp?itok=JeMxxCvU)
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.
Publications
How our targeted funding is improving confidence and collaboration
![Court House, Bangor Front elevation of The Court House, Bangor building in the evening.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/954x536_court_house_bangor_0.jpg.webp?itok=xKd8eD7W)
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.
![Nottingham City Council parks A person walks on a path under trees and next to a lake in summer](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/nottingham-city-council.jpg.webp?itok=G40iS_M4)
News
Two awards for a programme putting nature at the heart of thriving urban places
![Ted, owner of Etty & Tyler along with his sons Ted at his shop in Forest Gate](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/042_et_1_0.jpg.webp?itok=yU5ejCCm)
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.
![Torquay on the South Devon coast, with Torre Abbey in the foreground.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/torre_abbey_drone_5_copy_1.jpg.webp?itok=10H1h81K)
News
£200million funding for Heritage Places will boost local economies and pride in place
![A mock directional sign pointing to the nine Heritage Places](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_body_full/public/media/imgs/landing-blocks/heritage-places-sign-1200_1.jpg.webp?itok=B7Vd2cx0)
Publications
Data for Heritage Places – a new analysis using the Heritage Index
![An adult talks to a child wearing a head scarf.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/learning_through_landscapes_walsall_smaller.jpg.webp?itok=vjRwClpH)
Blogs
How Walsall’s heritage is thriving
Publications
Dedicated time and investment is increasing application success in under-served places
Projects
New 87-mile walking route links Cornwall’s north and south coasts
Improved access and support for the community means that more people can discover this diverse natural landscape.
![A young girl holds a cut out of a golden bird above her head. In the background are two adults working on a ladder.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/golden_swallow-2-1200.jpg.webp?itok=D5pmsS9_)
Blogs
Inspiring pride in place through a volunteer-supported festival
![Illustrated map showing 58 UK UNESCO sites Illustrated map showing 58 UK UNESCO sites](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/untitled-1.png.webp?itok=BAPIgUW5)
Projects
UNESCO launch a new illustrated map of the UK’s top heritage sites
Designed by Birmingham-based creative cartographer Tom Woolley, the map shows all 58 sites, cities and natural landscapes, helping to bring to life the huge variety of heritage on people’s doorsteps.
![Three people standing in front of a wall painted with a mural in green and blue colours](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_body_full/public/media/imgs/will_rea_mural_elsecar2-1200.jpg.webp?itok=ugwXIMGX)
Publications