The United Kingdom government has committed more than £41 million to the restoration of 74 historic buildings, including churches, synagogues, town halls, market halls and castles across England.
The funding, announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Historic England and Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross, is aimed at preserving historic structures facing deterioration and ensuring they remain accessible to local communities.
The investment will be delivered through the Places of Worship Renewal Fund and the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, which are part of the UK government’s wider £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund.
Under the arrangement, 51 places of worship will receive more than £18 million, while nearly £13 million will support 20 projects under the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund.
An additional £10 million has been earmarked for major restoration works at three nationally significant heritage sites: Dover Castle, Brodsworth Hall in Doncaster and Osborne, the former family residence of Queen Victoria on the Isle of Wight.
Heritage Minister Twycross said the intervention would help preserve historic buildings that reflect the country’s identity and serve as important centres of community life.
She noted that many of the structures had suffered years of neglect, with leaking roofs, deteriorating stonework and other defects threatening their survival.
According to her, the funding would enable communities to continue using the buildings for years to come.
Among the religious institutions selected for support are Birmingham Cathedral, the Church of St Elwyn in Hayle, Cornwall, and the Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial Synagogue in Grimsby.
At Birmingham Cathedral, the planned intervention will address deterioration affecting its tower and dome.
The Church of St Elwyn will benefit from masonry repairs, improved rainwater systems and restoration of interior decorations and other parts of the building.
Funding for the Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial Synagogue will support repairs to the structure of its ark. The late nineteenth-century building is described as the only remaining synagogue in Lincolnshire and South Humberside.
Other beneficiaries include the Margate Museum and Old Town Hall, which will receive support for major structural repairs to improve public access, protect its collections and encourage greater community use.
The former Post Office on Abingdon Street in Blackpool will also receive funding for the first phase of a project to transform the building into a community-led cultural and creative hub.
Historic England Co-Chief Executives Emma Squire and Claudia Kenyatta said the grants would help preserve buildings facing significant repair and conservation challenges.
They explained that historic structures played a crucial role in shaping the identity of communities, providing spaces for social interaction and connecting people with their heritage.
The officials added that the £41 million investment would support 74 projects across England through the first rounds of grants under the two schemes.
English Heritage Acting Chief Executive Kate Logan also welcomed the funding for Dover Castle, Osborne and Brodsworth Hall, describing the sites as important landmarks that help people understand Britain’s national history.
She said the support would enable the charity to undertake necessary repairs and ensure the sites remained available for public enjoyment.
Similarly, the Church of England’s lead bishop for buildings, the Bishop of St Albans, Andrew Rumsey, welcomed the grants awarded to churches and cathedrals.
Rumsey said the funding would help religious institutions in areas facing considerable financial challenges carry out essential repairs and sustain worship, outreach and community services.
He added that the grants would ease the fundraising burden on local volunteers working to preserve Britain’s religious and architectural heritage.
The UK government said the two funds prioritised areas facing the greatest need, particularly communities where raising money for restoration work was difficult and public investment could make the most significant difference.
The Places of Worship Renewal Fund has an allocation of £92 million for the current parliamentary term, while the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund has £75 million.
A second round of beneficiaries for both schemes for the 2026/27 financial year is expected to be announced later.
