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What’s New - Arts, Culture, Film

  1. The National Eisteddfod

    The castle. The nursery. The app that reached Australia. 850 years of the Eisteddfod - and over thirty years of National Lottery players making it possible

    31st July 2026

    On Christmas Day 1176, Rhys ap Gruffudd summoned the poets and musicians of Wales and beyond to a feast at his castle in Cardigan. It is the first ever recorded Eisteddfod. Eight hundred and fifty years later, that tradition is still alive - and among those who have helped keep it that way are the National Lottery players who, week after week, make good causes possible across Wales.

  2. garden

    Discover our top National Lottery funded places to visit this spring

    28th May 2026

    From family fun trails and castle adventures to wildlife encounters and stargazing sessions, here are a few National Lottery funded days out to visit this spring.

  3. Jessica Telling

    World Autism Acceptance Month: How National Lottery funding is helping Chameleon bring autistic voices to the stage

    29th April 2026

    This World Autism Acceptance Month, we're celebrating Chameleon, a dark comedy play supported by National Lottery funding that explores life as a newly diagnosed autistic woman with honesty and humour.

  4. The Book of Bradford image from Comma Press

    Read all about it: From bookish Bradford’s City of Culture legacy to the nationwide Year of Reading 2026

    22nd April 2026

    £1bn+ of National Lottery literary links - the latest chapter being The Book of Bradford (2025), 11 short stories grace National Year of Reading 2026 - writer Nick Ahad reflects on his story and his home city of Bradford

  5. Lincoln Castle pictured from the high walkway around the castle keep, at sunset.

    Built to last: The growing legacy of a National Lottery funded scheme for Heritage skills

    17th April 2026

    A bursary scheme backed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund gave 27 people up to two years of hands-on Heritage skills training. We tracked down one graduate and their employer to ask about the jobs won, the careers changed, and why 41% of those who trained in 'traditionally male' heritage trades were women.

  6. Denton Court Room

    Revealing the "HiDDEN" during National Lottery Open Week

    12th March 2026

    A medieval library, working class movements, a Victorian courtoom and more: five interviews and a 30-year dataset reveal the 'HiDDEN Network' connecting Britain’s reform heritage and the Mancunian spirit - all helped by National Lottery funding.

  7. NIght-time astro-photo of Saturn and Venus pictured over Kielder Observatory, a recipient of funds for good causes that took part in Open Week's 2025 mission to say thanks to National Lottery players. (Photo: Dan Monk, Kielder)

    From cosmos to classroom: National Lottery Open Week meets British Science Week

    12th March 2026

    Data-driven dive into nearly £3b of National Lottery funds to science of all kinds - key facilities, research, astronomy clubs, school science projects.

  8. Last chance to unlock free UK days out in film, science, wildlife and more with a National Lottery ticket

    10th March 2026

    National Lottery Open Week gives players the chance to explore the extraordinary projects, hidden gems and iconic venues they help fund, through the £32 million raised for good causes every week.

  9. A bird eye view of the National Botanic Garden of Wales

    Animals aplenty: National Lottery Open Week 2026 roars into action

    9th March 2026

    Billions raised. Thousands of projects. Millions of wildlife encounters. This data-rich feature unearths how National Lottery funds have helped the UK’s animal kingdom — and what Open Week 2026 could mean for nature lovers ready to explore.

  10. Joanna Page

    Hidden gems take centre stage this National Lottery Open Week

    24th February 2026

    With growing interest in hidden gems and unique local experiences across the UK, more people are choosing distinctive days out over viral attractions - and Joanna Page is leading the way with her top hidden gems. National Lottery Open Week (7-15 March) invites players to follow in her footsteps and explore hundreds of extraordinary places, unlocking free entry and special offers at venues made possible by the £32 million raised every week for good causes.

  11. Unlock free and discounted entry to hundreds of venues across the UK as National Lottery Open Week returns in March

    30th January 2026

    Hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues across the UK are gearing up to say thank you as part of National Lottery Open Week 2026. From Saturday 7 – Sunday 15 March 2026, anyone with a National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard or Instant Win Game can unlock a special day out.

  12. Christmas tree

    The 12 Days of Christmas - A festive dozen of National Lottery Good Causes

    22nd December 2025

    The 12 Days of Christmas - A festive dozen of National Lottery Good Causes