National Lottery Heritage Fund Announces £130 Million for UK Places of Worship

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has unveiled a new delivery plan for 2026 through 2029, pledging a total investment of £1.4 billion toward heritage projects across the United Kingdom. Within this framework, approximately £130 million has been earmarked specifically for the preservation of places of worship, historic ships, and museum collections. The initiative aims to restore these assets to productive use while enhancing the financial sustainability and resilience of heritage organizations.

A significant focus of the funding is addressing the impact of climate change on historic structures. The fund intends to support projects that mitigate environmental risks, such as the moisture and radiation damage currently affecting the historic Rose Window at York Minster. In addition to building maintenance, the plan allocates £20 million to engage younger generations with heritage sites and provides support for training and employment opportunities. This three-year strategy serves as the second phase of the organization’s broader "Heritage 2033" vision, which has already invested £885 million into over 1,750 projects since its inception.