Grants and funding

Gardeners and volunteers clipping the topiary in the Parterre at Hanbury Hall and Gardens, Worcestershire

Grant income is an important component of our overall income profile. In 2017-18 we received approximately £18m from a wide range of statutory funders.

Grants support all aspects of our work, whether it is building new woodland and countryside cycle trails at some of your favourite places or enabling us to undertake essential nature conservation work along our coastlines.

Grants also help us to conserve, protect and provide access to coast, countryside, historic homes and gardens, whether through giving people the opportunity to join in with our work, helping us reach new audiences or enabling people to have a more fulfilling and enjoyable visit.

The National Lottery (funding distributed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Arts Councils and Sport England/Wales/Northern Ireland), the Landfill Communities Fund, European grants such as Structural Funds, Interreg and  LIFE, and central and local government are some of our most significant sources of grants. These grants often enable the Trust to work in partnership with other organisations and charities to achieve objectives that go well beyond what we could achieve on our own.

We are always grateful for the support from our grant funders as without it we wouldn’t be able to undertake some of our most important and innovative work.

Share some of our grant funded projects
Senior conservator, Heather Porte, working on the iconic Knole Sofa in the Conservation Studio at Knole, Kent

How the National Lottery Heritage Fund is revitalising heritage 

External funding is so important to the National Trust's conservation work. See what amazing things are being achieved for us all to enjoy, with the support of National Lottery players via project grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Explore the National Lottery Heritage Fund timeline
The Magna Carta memorial at Runnymede, Surrey

Runnymede explored 

With funding of £1.6m from the Heritage Lottery Fund our plans to help visitors discover more about this special and significant place can go ahead.

Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland

New art at Lindisfarne Castle 

A grant of £32,000 from Arts Council England has enabled Turner-prize nominated artist Anya Callaccio to create a really special and unique installation at Lindisfarne.

Common Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) being weighed and measured

Bat monitoring at Ightham Mote  

Our community bat monitoring and habitat creation project is able to go ahead thanks to grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£7,900) and Ibstock Enovert Trust (£4,900).

Red poppies

WW1 and women at Standen House 

Thanks to players of the National Lottery and a grant of £9,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund this exhibition brings to the fore one woman’s war effort contribution to the First World War.

A group camping at Gupton Farm

Activity Base at Gupton Farm 

Already a centre for walking and wildlife watching, European funding via the Welsh Government is allowing for further enhancements to the farm, including the addition of an activity base and community hall.

A family enjoying a trip in a rowing boat, Fell Foot Park, Cumbria

Ambitious project in the Lake District 

National Lottery players, through grants distributed by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England, will help us implement vital conservation and exciting sports facilities across Fell Foot. Improvements include a spectacular boathouse complex and arboretum, improved access to the waterfront, and a sporty Active Base which will enable visitors to explore and enjoy this beautiful waterfront location.

Green Academies Project volunteer Jacko teaches bug hunting with young teens

Green Academies Project 

See how six National Trust properties are participating in a programme to connect volunteers aged 11 – 24 to their local green space. Our Bright Future funded by the Big Lottery Fund is making it possible.

A replica of an Anglo-Saxon helmet found at Sutton Hoo, Sussex

Sutton Hoo transformation 

A vital part of our national heritage, this most significant of sites will see the visitor experience transformed with a host of new ways to explore Sutton Hoo, thanks to a £1.8million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Trees growing along the bank of the Great Ouse river

River Ouse Restoration Project 

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will allow local communities and visitors to have improved access to the river and learn more about this beautiful part of Sussex through volunteering and new information panels.