Historic Houses Foundation
Could Historic Houses Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £10,000 – £50,000
- Where they fund
- England, Wales
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Two-stage application
- Decisions
- Quarterly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card
historichousesfoundation.org.ukAbout Historic Houses Foundation
The Historic Houses Foundation is an independent grant-making charity dedicated to preserving historic buildings and works of art for public benefit. It supports the conservation of country houses, gardens, grounds, outbuildings, and integral works of art across the UK, with a particular focus on England and Wales. The Foundation prioritises projects that are ready to proceed, demonstrate financial need, ensure appropriate public access, and show long-term sustainability. Its mission is to protect heritage for future generations, funding capital works and project delivery rather than day-to-day running costs.
What Historic Houses Foundation funds
The Foundation funds capital works and project delivery for heritage conservation. This includes major structural repairs to listed buildings, restoration of historic landscapes, stable yards, garden buildings, gateways, follies, and glasshouses. It also supports the conservation of paintings and sculpture, provided the work is undertaken by qualified professionals. Geographic focus is on England and Wales, though grants are available UK-wide. Priority is given to projects that are ready to proceed within one to two years, that do not qualify for mainstream funding or have partial funding already secured, and that demonstrate financial need, appropriate public access, and sustainability.
Who can apply
Grants are available to private owners, registered charities, and trusts. The Foundation supports sites that offer meaningful public access, benefiting the general public. It prioritises projects that are ready to proceed, have a clear financial need, and show long-term sustainability. There is no restriction on religious context. Applicants should be based in England or Wales, where the work takes place. The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications and does not require match funding.
What Historic Houses Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund routine maintenance, minor repairs, general running costs, alterations, improvements, or repairs to non-historic fabric or services. It excludes demolition unless agreed as part of a repair and conservation programme, as well as rent, loan, or mortgage payments. Work carried out before a grant offer is made in writing and accepted is ineligible. Churches and chapels are excluded unless linked to a country house or estate. Conservation of furniture, fittings, and equipment is not funded unless they are of historic or architectural significance, have a historic relationship with the site, and are secured from sale or disposal. Recent purchases where the cost of works should have been recognised in the purchase price are also ineligible.
How they like to fund
The Foundation offers grants for capital works and project delivery, funding major structural repairs, restoration of landscapes and garden buildings, and conservation of works of art. Priority is given to projects that are ready to proceed, demonstrate financial need, ensure appropriate public access, and show sustainability. The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications. There is no requirement for match funding.
How much does Historic Houses Foundation give?
Historic Houses Foundation runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 31 sourced facts
- 4 rounds a year
- Decisions in ~1 weeks
- Decisions in ~4 weeks
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Historic Houses Foundation funds — and what they won't
Prioritises projects that are ready to proceed (within 1-2 years), that do not qualify from mainstream sources or have partial funding, and that demonstrate financial need, appropriate public access, and sustainability.
The full exclusions list (2)
- 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; churches and chapels unless now or previously linked to a country house or estate; 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)
- Same general exclusions as buildings programme (e.g., recent purchase, churches unless linked to country house) apply where relevant. The works of art form does not list separate exclusions.
Good to know
How to apply to Historic Houses Foundation
Historic Houses Foundation takes applications via two-stage application.
- Decisions are typically quarterly.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Historic Houses Foundation's application asks
We hold the 9 questions from Historic Houses Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Briefly describe the project and how the grant will be spent (Not more than 250 words).”
Max 250 words
“Please explain briefly how your project will contribute to the historic environment (Not more than 250 words).”
Max 250 words
7 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Historic Houses Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Historic Houses Foundation provide?
Historic Houses Foundation runs 2 grant programmes — Country Houses Foundation Grants (Buildings): £1,000 – £250,000 · Works of Art Grants: £1,000 – £250,000.
Where does Historic Houses Foundation fund charities?
Historic Houses Foundation funds charities operating in England, Wales.
Does Historic Houses Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Historic Houses Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Historic Houses Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: 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; churches and chapels unless now or previously linked to a country house or estate; 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); Same general exclusions as buildings programme (e.g., recent purchase, churches unless linked to country house) apply where relevant. The works of art form does not list separate exclusions.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Historic Houses Foundation?
Historic Houses Foundation takes applications via two-stage application. Decisions are typically quarterly.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Browse related grants
Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.
Could Historic Houses Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.