Since 1994, we’ve invested £8.6bn raised by National Lottery players in more than 47,000 projects across the UK.

From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more – we’ve funded projects small and large which stretch from the Isles of Scilly to the Orkney Islands.

In this milestone year we’ve selected some of our favourites: projects that represent the breadth of heritage and the huge diversity of things from the past that you value and want to pass on to future generations.

Over the next 30 days, leading up to our 30th birthday on 19 November, we’ll be sharing one project per day for each of our 30 years, here and on our social channels. 

2001

Moors for the Future, Peak District

High Peak, England

Grant amount: £3,136,000

This large-scale partnership project improved the biodiversity of the moorlands through re-vegetation of degraded blanket bog and the restoration of footpaths, which in turn helped reduce future disturbance to vegetation. 

In addition, it focused on research, conducting baseline surveys of species including breeding birds as well as recreational use of the moors and visitor attitudes. 

The project was also a great example of knowledge sharing, hosting conferences to discuss common challenges and opportunities for moorlands.

2000

Tower Curing Works Maritime Museum (aka Time and Tide Museum)

Great Yarmouth, England

Grant amount: £2,594,500

The Tower Fish Curing Works was once a bustling hub of industry in Great Yarmouth but closed its doors in 1988. Our grant helped transform the site – one of the UK's best preserved Victorian herring curing factories – into a museum which tells the story of the area's rich maritime and fishing heritage. 

Since 2004 it's been known at the Time and Tide Museum and was a finalist in the 2006 European Museum of the Year competition and received the Sandford Award for excellence in education across heritage sites in 2014.

1999

Chatham Historic Dockyard Consolidated Project No 1

Chatham, Medway, England

Grant amount: £1,315,000

One of a series of eight projects that invested over £13million between 1997 and 2006 to conserve and enhance the dockyard and secure its future as a visitor attraction. 

The dockyard was developed following the 16th century Reformation and worsening relations with the Catholic countries of mainland Europe. It was an important line of defence for the country for more than 400 years, and one of the Royal Navy's most important facilities, before its closure in 1984. 

Around 80 acres, comprising the 18th century core of the site, is now managed by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and includes historic vessels, listed buildings, a railway and museums which chart the Age of Sail and Britain’s naval history.

1998

Birkenhead Park – Restoration Plan

Birkenhead, Wirral, England        

Grant amount: £26,800

Birkenhead Park, the inspiration for New York’s Central Park, is widely recognised as the first public park in the UK. Our relationship with the park began in 1998 when we funded its initial restoration plan. Two years later it was ready to apply for a bigger grant – which was successful – to fund a major restoration. Its lakes were emptied, cleaned and restored, the cricket pavilions and bridges revived, landscaping reinstated and the grand entrance lodges renovated and opened up for community use.

1997

Acquisition of 'Whistlejacket' by George Stubbs 

Westminster, London, England

Grant amount: £8,268,750

Whistlejacket is recognised as the most ambitious painting produced by 18th century artist George Stubbs. Our grant helped secure it for the nation, to be housed at the National Gallery in London. 

Following the acquisition, the painting toured the country and inspired an innovative education programme which was later adopted by galleries and schools across the UK. Since being on continuous display at the gallery, it's been credited with boosting visitor numbers.

1996

Whitby Abbey Headland Project

Whitby, North Yorkshire, England

Grant amount: £317,000

The dramatic 13th century Gothic ruins of a Benedictine church, built after the Norman conquest, dominate the North Yorkshire headland. It was the site of our recent heritage Game Changers announcement and art installation. 

Over the years – starting in 1996 – we've awarded more than £3.7m to fund the restoration and protection of the natural beauty and historic character of Whitby Headland, from improvements to parking, access and interpretation, to the conservation of the standing remains of the abbey.

1995

Clevedon Pier Head

Clevedon, North Somerset, England

Grant amount: £1,195,313

One of the earliest grants we awarded following our establishment in 1994 was to support the final stages of the restoration of Clevedon Pier. Built in the 1860s using old Barlow railway lines discarded from Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s broad-gauge South Wales Railway, by the 1970s it was in urgent need of repair. 

Our grant funded the reinstatement of the Pier Head decking and buildings and repairs to the concrete landing stage. The pier celebrated its grand reopening in 1998. In 2001 it was awarded Grade 1 listed status – the only intact pier in England with that honour.

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