10 UK Landmarks You Didn’t Know Were Funded By Lotteries

The lottery has been a great source of funding for thousands of years, first utilised in China between 2015 and 187BC. All around the world, lotteries have been used to benefit local economies, whether it’s been to fund education, assist with aid, or construct landmarks, the money accumulated from state lotteries in particular has helped go towards various good causes. Lotteries have changed over time, from extremely refined systems involving paper and simple draws to new electronic and online lotteries providing 49s, but what hasn’t changed is their sole purpose of helping to provide for communities. So today, we will be taking a look at 10 UK landmarks you may not have known were funded by lotteries

Tate Modern, London

The Tate Modern in London was created to give modern and contemporary art a home that felt open to everyone. Lottery funding helped turn a disused power station into a public gallery on the Thames, aiming to dispel the idea that art is only for experts. By using a former industrial building, the project also showed how old spaces could be reused rather than abandoned.

British Museum Great Court, London

The Great Court project was designed to open up the centre of the British Museum and make it easier to move through. Lottery funding supported the creation of the glass roof and new public space, with the purpose being to improve access to the collections while giving visitors a place to sit and reflect. It also helped modernise the museum without changing its historic character.

The British Library, London

Lottery funding helped complete parts of the British Library and improve how people use it. The building was designed to bring millions of books together in one place. Its purpose is to support research, learning and curiosity for everyone, with public areas also being improved so visitors can study, attend events or simply explore, making the library feel welcoming rather than intimidating.

The Millennium Dome (Now the O2), London

The Millennium Dome was built to celebrate the year 2000 and to mark a new chapter for the country. Lottery money helped fund its construction. The original aim was to create a national space for exhibitions and ideas about the future, but despite this, its role has changed, now providing a space for music and entertainment.

The Eden Project, Cornwall

The Eden Project was created to help people understand the natural world and our relationship with it. Lottery funding was vital in turning a clay pit into a series of giant biomes. The idea was to inspire care for the environment through plants and storytelling, also aiming to support the local economy by bringing visitors to an area that needed investment.

Royal Opera House Redevelopment, London 

The redevelopment of the Royal Opera House was intended to open it up to a wider public. Lottery funding supported major building work and new spaces. The goal was to move beyond being a venue only for traditional audiences, adding new entrances and learning areas so more people could experience opera and ballet, whether through performances or education programmes.

Cardiff Millennium Centre, Cardiff 

Located in South Wales, the Cardiff Millennium Centre was constructed through the support of lottery funding, providing a facility for performance and creativity. It is used to celebrate Welsh culture while enticing international work, designed as a space where people gather for a variety of entertainment. It has also benefited the tourism sector of Cardiff Bay as a destination that visitors like to attend.

The Lowry, Salford

The Lowry was created to support arts and regeneration in Salford. Lottery funding helped transform the old docklands into a lively public area. The centre was designed to house theatres and galleries while encouraging local participation. Its purpose was to bring culture into everyday life and to help revive the surrounding area through jobs, tourism and community use.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead

Originally known as The Sage Gateshead, this building was designed to make music accessible to everyone. Lottery funding supported its construction on the riverfront for the building that aims to provide a space for performance and learning at all levels. It was built to welcome school groups and professionals alike, helping music become part of daily life in the region.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow

Lottery funding was used to support the massive refurbishment of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. The target was to repair the building in order to improve how art collections and museum artefacts were displayed. It focused on making the museum easier to navigate and more enjoyable, which would inspire younger generations to visit and learn, as well as provide a tourist hotspot. Updating the galleries’ facilities allowed the museum to continue serving the public for generations to come.