Lancaster City Museums receives £40,500 major funding to boost residents and visitors engagement with city’s incredible history

Lancaster City Museums has received a major funding boost of £40,500 to improve its museums by enhancing the visitor experience and increasing activities to benefit the local community.

The cash injection from the Museums Renewal Fund will support work at the museums, which are home to rare local artefacts dating back as far back at the Stone Age, as well as the local regiment’s history dating back to 1680.

As well as funding events and activities, a key focus will be the continued refurbishment of the Cottage Museum, restoring it to its historical roots as a 1740s shop, offering an immersive glimpse into mid-18th-century life and commerce.

The grant will also support improved promotion of the City Museums as well as helping them with business planning for a redevelopment of the Lancaster City Museum.

Councillor Sam Riches, Lancaster City Council member with responsibility for Museums, said that the funding, which is being delivered by the Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will make a positive impact on Lancaster City Museums.

She said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, which is another step in helping us to not only safeguard our local heritage but also create exciting new opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with our city’s incredible history.

“From immersive experiences at the Cottage Museum to vibrant events at the City and Maritime Museums, this investment ensures our museums remain accessible for local people and enables them to connect with their shared heritage.

“I am also very pleased to announce that the National Lottery Heritage Fund have invited us to submit a Development Phase application for funding that will hopefully eventually lead to a £6million redevelopment project for the City Museum, helping secure the future resilience of Lancaster’s museums.”

Notes to editors:

The Lancaster City Museums comprises The Lancaster City Museum, The Cottage Museum and The Kings Own Regiment Museum.

The Museum Renewal Fund, delivered the Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will support museums in stabilising their financial situation and building towards sustainable and thriving futures.

Last updated: 09 October 2025