Animals aplenty: National Lottery Open Week 2026 roars into action

9th March 2026

Creatures of the sea, land, and air all feature in National Lottery Open Week, from now until 15March.

As National Lottery Open Week gets underway, some surprising sights and sounds await your visit. From pigeons to wigeons (see, and hear, a wigeon below) and much more. So, never mind if it rains cats and dogs, get out and about - and be sure to look around and listen up…

‘Safari so goody’

National Lottery players have been busy bees, funding projects that support the animal kingdom while also benefiting people, communities and the natural environment. As of National Lottery Open Week 2026, fast approaching 10,000 unique grants have backed the preservation of all animal habitats: marine and coastal, to forests and fields, and of course urban settings too.

Helping those who help our fishy, furry and feathered friends started in March 1995, when over £10m went to Braemar Lodge, owned by National Trust for Scotland. Today, Braemar’s 29,000 acres of landscape include wetland wading birds and otters among many other creatures.

Grants to natural habitats and the animal kingdom have been awarded by most of the National Lottery distributors, although The National Lottery Heritage Fund leads the way with thousands of relevant grants totalling over £2bn by the close of 2025.

You don’t need to be a wise owl to see that it’s a vast scale of support. Taken together, the 12 National Lottery distributors have shared billions of pounds of funding to help preserve, or to rebuild and rewild, landscapes, habitats and help animals of all kinds.

A spotlight on our feathered friends

As springtime blooms in March it’s eyes up and ears open: bird activity is in full swing and birdsong is all around.

In the data graphic below we spotlight Curlews and other birds. Curlews have been an endangered species and remain a high conservation priority needing urgent action. Indeed, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has been at the forefront of an action plan to save the Curlew on our shores. But did you know that the RSPB’s concern and care for Curlews, and other birds, around the UK is partly thanks to National Lottery players raising money for good causes?

The first grant to the RSPB was awarded in 1995, to the wonderful sounding Ouse Washes wetlands of Welney, in the wilds of Cambridgeshire. Like many other places supported around the UK, this is a diverse habitat for many species of land, sea and air creature.

Big picture

The RSPB is a national organisation with multiple branches: it’s received over £63m for hundreds of projects around the UK since 1995.

But there are many other nature and conservation organisations that have also been funded – operating at local, regional or national levels. For example, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (£237,000 of National Lottery funding so far) and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (£1.3m of National Lottery funding so far).

"Three little birds"

Animals to seek out in National Lottery Open Week 2026

Dogs at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

National Lottery Open Week offers: Guided tours at Guide Dog centres in Angus, Scotland (11th March); and in Wigan, England (12th March).

Join a behind-the-scenes experience of a Guide Dogs Regional Centre, a rare opportunity to explore the fascinating journey of a guide dog from their humble beginnings to their heroic help and companionship for people. You may get to see some of dogs in training, learning the skills needed to become future life-changers.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has received 15 grants valued over £1.5m from The National Lottery to assist their work over many years.

Kingfishers at RSPB: Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk Broads
National Lottery Open Week offer: Free entry. (Offers and details for over 20 more RSPB sites. Hop to check the website for deals near you).

This Norfolk location offers great strolls, and the chance to look up to royalty: Kingfishers (as long as you’re patient, calm and observant).

Across multiple sites, and various branches, The RSPB has received over £63m for hundreds of projects around the UK since 1995.

Polar bears at Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie
National Lottery Open Week offer: 2 for 1 entry all week

Chill out with Scotland's only polar bears, spot the snow leopards on their hilltop and explore the drive-through reserve home to Eurasian elk. And hear the daily Keeper talks to learn much more about the animals.

Nearly 50 wildlife parks have received National Lottery funds so far, since 1995.

Elephant Hawk Moth, Beetles, and Marsh Harriers at The Great Fen
National Lottery Open Week offer: Free guided walking tour at Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserve on 11 March

Located near Peterborough, this site is widely considered the birthplace of modern conservation. Internationally important for wildlife, it’s a refuge for thousands of species of fen animals and plants, many of which are found nowhere else in the country. One of only four remaining fragments of the ancient wild fens, this place is a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Note no dogs allowed; see the site for all info if visiting.

Over 40 Site of Special Scientific Interest locations have had a share of over £3m since 1995.

Ravens at the Tower of London
National Lottery Open Week offer: 50% off entry (advanced book essential)

Spy the black ravens, the White Tower and more. The stark-looking Ravens are reason enough to be on your best behaviour at the Tower. Apparently, the birds have a high IQ and have been shown to recognise humans (individuals) and remember how each person behaved toward them. You have been warned.

Red squirrels at Naturezones Wildlife Education Trust, Isle of Wight
National Lottery Open Week offer: Free entry and a cuppa on 12, 14 and 15 March

A haven of peace and tranquillity dedicated to the development of biodiversity, habitats for wildlife, and natural history education. Meander along meadows and through the woodland where you will see the gentle emergence of bluebell spires. A red squirrel hot spot – the folks at Naturezones advise “silence is golden if you want to catch a rare sight of these animals.”

Meerkats and Sloths at Edinburgh Zoo
National Lottery Open Week offer: 2 for 1 entry all week

Hang out with Scotland's only sloths, make friends with the mischievous Meerkat mob and look up to the herd of Giraffes at the top of the hill. You may even spy the cuddly Capybara trio enjoying the spring sunshine or the Sloth bear pair playing in the trees.

15 more zoos around the UK have had National Lottery funding over the years.

Pigs, cattle and sheep at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Suffolk
National Lottery Open Week offer: Free admission on 13 and 14 March 2026

Meet the rare Suffolk Punch horses, cattle, pigs, and Norfolk Horn sheep on this working farm. The workhouse dates back to 1777.

Nearly 2,000 grants have provided farms with financial support for various projects since 1995.

Goats galore at Kentish Town City Farm
National Lottery Open Week Offer: free tours on 15 March

Kentish Town City Farm was the first City Farm founded in the UK and it’s been an oasis in the city since 1972. The farm covers 4.5 acres alongside two railways lines with flourishing community gardens, a riding arena and wildlife pond. It’s home to goats, sheep, chickens and geese, three horses, two donkeys, pigs Wilma & Betty, plus lovely cow Shirley, and various small animals. E-i-e-i-o!