Historic Houses Foundation Grants

The Historic Houses Foundation gives grants for the repair and conservation of rural historic buildings and structures in England and Wales, including their gardens, grounds and outbuildings. We also give grants for the restoration and conservation of works of art in historic house collections open to the public.

Grants are made to owners (charities, institutions, local authorities and individuals) who demonstrate a sustainable and long-term commitment to the care, management and public access of the historic country houses in their care.

We aim to make grants for projects which either do not qualify for funding from any of the mainstream sources or have been awarded only partial funding. We will also consider making grants to kick start a project but will expect further funding to be in place within1 to 2 years.

  • • there is a compelling need for the work, usually within 2 to 3 years

    • the work will enhance our historic environment

    • there will be appropriate public access

    • there is a financial need for the grant

    • the work can proceed within a reasonable time frame (usually 1 to 2 years)

    • the work is sustainable with a suitable conservation and/or business plan

    • the building or structure is listed however, we may make grants that involve an unlisted building, particularly in a conservation area

    • the structure is rural, either in the countryside or where it has been overtaken by urban or suburban development

    Applicants should be aware that the Historic Houses Foundation’s resources are limited and even eligible applications are not guaranteed a grant offer.

How to qualify

What does not qualify

  • • buildings and structures which have been the subject of recent purchase and where the cost of works for which grant is sought should have been recognised in the purchase price

    • work which does not principally involve the repair or conservation of a historic building or structure

    • churches and chapels unless now or previously linked to a country house or estate

    • alterations and improvements, and repairs to non-historic fabric or services.

    • routine maintenance and minor repairs.

    • general running costs.

    • demolition unless agreed as part of a repair and conservation programme.

    • rent, loan or mortgage payments

    • conservation of furniture, fittings and equipment (unless they are themselves of historic or architectural significance, have a historic relationship with the site, are relevant to the project, and can be secured long term from sale or disposal)

    • work carried out before a grant offer has been made in writing and accepted

Who can apply?

We accept applications for grants from organisations and private individuals. The applicant must have legal responsibility for the repair of the historic building and its immediate surroundings.

We would normally expect applicants to own the building or structure, or to hold a full repairing lease with not less than 20 years to run. If this is not possible, you should be able to demonstrate that you have a legally binding agreement to acquire the building.

Our grants can help trigger funds to support conservation work from other donors and we encourage the use of professional conservation plans to guide repair work. We can respond quickly to requests for emergency funding.

How much to expect

The minimum Historic Houses Foundation grant is £1,000 and the maximum is £250,000 but an award of this size is only made under exceptional circumstances. Most of our grants are for less than £50,000.

We do not specify that this funding has to be matched, however we will expect you to make some contribution from your own resources. We also expect applicants to have considered (and where appropriate to have applied for) other sources of funding.

We require the project to be sustainable in the longer term and will want to know what arrangements or plans you have to ensure that future repair and maintenance is properly funded.

Apply for a grant

If you think your proposed project qualifies for a Historic Houses Foundation grant and would like to apply use the link below.

“It is hard to see where we would find alternative funds for this essential restoration work.” 

Cllr Samia Chaudhary at Hounslow Council, Boston Manor House, Hounslow