The Heritage Of London Trust Limited

Charity Number: 280272

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M
Geographic Focus: Throughout London

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £450,000 (approximate, based on total expenditure)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Assessed three times per year at board meetings
  • Grant Range: Up to £15,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater London (all 33 boroughs)

Contact Details

Website: www.heritageoflondon.org

Email: info@heritageoflondon.org

Phone: 020 7099 0559

Address: 34 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH

The Trust welcomes public enquiries about eligibility and welcomes initial contact to discuss potential projects.

Overview

The Heritage of London Trust (HOLT) is London's independent heritage charity, established in 1980 by the Greater London Council to rescue historic buildings and monuments. With over 40 years of experience, HOLT has supported more than 600 restoration projects across all 33 London boroughs. The organization's mission focuses on aiding the conservation and restoration of buildings of architectural and historic merit to benefit local communities. HOLT takes a comprehensive approach, identifying projects, commissioning specialist reports, providing grants, and project managing restoration works from beginning to end. All projects involve young people through their award-winning Proud Places education programme. For the financial year ending March 2023, HOLT reported total income of £452,946 and expenditure of £473,109. In 2024, Director Nicola Stacey was named on the London Standard's list of 100 People Shaping the Capital.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Restoration Grants: Up to £15,000 per project

  • Available for restoration of historic buildings and monuments which are accessible to the public
  • Three-year committed grant period with funds dispensed at project completion
  • Applications assessed by the Board which meets three times per year
  • HOLT can help with all aspects of project planning including commissioning specialist reports and project managing restoration works

Priority Areas

HOLT focuses on:

  • Historic buildings and monuments of architectural and historic merit in Greater London
  • Heritage at risk - buildings requiring urgent conservation intervention
  • Projects that provide public access and community benefit
  • Sites that can engage young people through their Proud Places programme
  • Work with local authorities, community organisations, and statutory bodies
  • Buildings and monuments that are important to local communities

Recent funded projects include:

  • Seven Dials Monument (2023)
  • Guilford Place Fountain (2024)
  • How Memorial Gateway archway restoration (2024)
  • Medieval wall at Pickle Park
  • Victorian electricity substation on Sunnyside Passage, Wimbledon (in partnership with Historic England)

What They Don't Fund

HOLT is unable to provide grants for:

  • Buildings that are not open or accessible to the public
  • Roof replacements or repairs
  • Restoration schemes where work has already been completed
  • General maintenance
  • Buildings outside Greater London
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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Sir Laurie Magnus CBE - Chairman (since April 2023)

Sir Laurie brings 40 years of heritage sector experience, having served as Chairman of Historic England for 10 years, Deputy Chairman of the National Trust, and trustee of English Heritage Trust, Landmark Trust, and the Barbican Centre Trust.

Dr Nicola Stacey - Director (since 2015)

Dr Stacey has 25 years' experience in the UK heritage sector, including 10 years at English Heritage and the Museum of London. She was named on the London Standard's list of 100 People Shaping the Capital in 2024.

Board of Trustees

  • Jamie Ritblat (joined 2016) - Chairman and Chief Executive of Delancey, specializing in property development
  • Kit Kemp - Multi-award winning interior designer, co-owner and Design Director for Firmdale Hotels
  • Melanie Stoutzker - 30 years' fundraising experience, most recently Development Director at The London Library
  • Edward - Board member since 2011
  • Richard - Board member since 2021

The Duke serves as Royal Patron since the Trust's foundation in 1980.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Initial Contact: Contact HOLT to discuss your project if unsure about eligibility
  2. Project Assessment: If the project is suitable for consideration, HOLT will arrange a site visit to discuss further
  3. Application Form: Complete an online application form demonstrating community benefit
  4. Board Review: Applications are assessed and approved by the Board
  5. Grant Award: If approved, HOLT will work closely with you throughout the project duration

Decision Timeline

  • Board meets three times per year to review applications
  • Typical process includes initial site visit and discussion before formal application
  • Three-year committed grant period for successful projects
  • Funds dispensed at project completion

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, HOLT has supported over 600 restoration projects since 1980, demonstrating substantial grant-making activity.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact HOLT directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Application

Community Benefit: Projects must demonstrate clear public access and community benefit. Buildings or monuments must be accessible to the public.

Heritage Significance: While buildings do not need to be listed, they must be of particular historic or architectural interest and preferably at risk.

Youth Engagement: All HOLT projects involve young people through Proud Places. Projects that can meaningfully engage young people may be particularly attractive.

Comprehensive Approach: HOLT values working in partnership with applicants throughout the entire restoration process, from condition surveys through to completion.

Local Authority Support: HOLT works closely with local authorities across London's 33 boroughs and values their involvement.

Eligible Applicants

  • Community organisations
  • Representatives of community organisations
  • Local authorities

Recent Project Examples

HOLT's diverse portfolio demonstrates their broad definition of “heritage at risk”:

  • Public monuments and statues
  • Historic fountains and water features
  • Church elements (clock faces, weathervanes, bells)
  • Victorian infrastructure (electricity substations)
  • Historic grottoes and garden features
  • Medieval walls
  • Cabmen's shelters

HOLT's Support Services

Beyond grants, HOLT offers:

  • Site identification and condition surveys
  • Specialist report commissioning
  • Project management of restoration works
  • Connection with specialist conservators
  • Guidance throughout the restoration process

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Early engagement is encouraged - Contact HOLT before formal application to discuss project suitability and arrange a site visit. They take a partnership approach and can provide valuable guidance.
  • Public access is essential - Projects must be open and accessible to the public. This is a firm requirement, not a preference.
  • Think beyond listed buildings - Buildings don't need listed status, but must be of historic or architectural interest. HOLT has funded everything from grand monuments to Victorian substations.
  • Demonstrate heritage at risk - HOLT prioritizes buildings and monuments requiring conservation intervention. Show why action is needed now.
  • Highlight community benefit - Applications must demonstrate how the project benefits the local community. This is a key assessment criterion.
  • Plan for youth engagement - All HOLT projects involve young people through Proud Places. Consider how your project can meaningfully engage children and young people aged 11+.
  • Don't start work before approval - HOLT cannot fund restoration schemes where work has already been completed. Apply before beginning restoration work.
  • Be patient with timelines - With board meetings three times yearly and a three-year grant commitment period, this is a relationship-based funder requiring patience and partnership.

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