The National Lottery Heritage Fund that channels Lottery money into UK heritage projects
Conservation groups have secured a near-final pledge to buy the Rothbury Estate, a 9,500-acre site in Northumberland, to create a 40-mile nature corridor. Government funding and donations have pushed the campaign close to its £30m target, with mixed local support remains.
Edinburgh Festival events proceed while the city manages tram disruptions from the recent fire. Two outdoor venues relocate to St Andrew Square, preserving shows as George Street venues prepare indoors; tram services to Newhaven remain suspended as planners navigate logistics amid festival crowds.
Haverfordwest Castle in Pembrokeshire is closed for restoration until 2028, with grounds to host open-air events for 500 people. The project aims to drive regeneration, expand biodiversity, and provide a school programme and volunteering opportunities. Pembrokeshire Council expects around 63,000 visitors in the first year.
Lonnie G. Bunch III will leave the Smithsonian Institution by year’s end. The departure follows a White House report criticizing Smithsonian leadership and a broader push from the Trump administration to realign how American history is presented in national museums. The move comes as the institution faces renewed calls for changes to exhibits and leadership amid partisan pressure.
Heritage sites across the UK are at risk as repair costs rise and funding remains tight. Ashton Court Mansion in Bristol is in very bad condition, with a restoration bill around £20m. The Assize Court in Devizes faces near £15m in costs, while the Lansdowne Monument is undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration led by the National Trust. Groundworks for Devizes begin soon, with an opening planned for 2030; Ashton Court has raised £200,000 so far.