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Heritage Charities That specialise in History

Discover 1,157 Heritage charities that specialise in history. Use the search below to filter within these results.

1,157
Charities
£2,748,266,778
Total Income
£758,352
Avg Income
100.0%
Program Ratio

Major UK charities curated by Charity Finder for size, recognition, and registry coverage. Click through for full profiles, financials, and trustees.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Charitable activities, Heritage, Saving of lives

To save lives, promote safety and rescue service efficiency, and provide relief from disaster at sea and on inland and flood waters; to advance the education of the public in matters relating to sea, inland and flood water safety, and in the history and heritage of the Institution; to relieve/assist those who have been involved in saving lives at sea and on inland and flood waters in any capacity.

Latest Income: £251,300,000
Areas of Operation: Various
Status: Registered
View Details

The British Academy For The Promotion Of Historical Philosophical And Philological Studies

Heritage, Research

To inspire, recognise and support high achievement in the humanities and social sciences throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.

Latest Income: £106,153,895
Areas of Operation: Northern Ireland
Status: Registered
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The Corporation Of The Hall Of Arts And Sciences

Heritage, Research

To maintain the Royal Albert Hall, a Grade I listed building of historical and cultural significance and, through its use, to promote the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the Arts and Sciences.

Latest Income: £60,524,982
Areas of Operation: City Of Westminster
Status: Registered
View Details

National Museum Of Wales

Charitable activities, Heritage, Research

We operate 7 free-entry museums across Wales, plus the National Collections Centre, to further our core objective of 'the advancement of the education of the public' in the fields of science, art, industry, history and culture.

Latest Income: £49,162,000
Areas of Operation: Wales
Status: Registered
View Details

York Archaeological Trust For Excavation And Research Limited

Charitable activities, Heritage

The Trust advances the education of the public in archaeology, history and related disciplines associated with the City of York and elsewhere and promotes the preservation and display of collections of archaeological material and carries out research and disseminates the results.This is achieved by running visitor attractions and providing archaeological services.

Latest Income: £11,583,694
Areas of Operation: Scotland
Status: Registered
View Details

The Black Country Living Museum Trust

Heritage

The open-air Museum, through the use of its Designated collections, provides opportunities for the public, including many thousands of pupils and students, to gain a better understanding, appreciation and knowledge of the history and international significance and impact of the Black Country and its people, over a period of 200 years, to c1960.

Latest Income: £10,659,222
Areas of Operation: Various
Status: Registered
View Details

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Trust

Charity and VCS support, Heritage

A living museum providing educational experiences of operating UK railway heritage, preservation and access to historic steam and diesel locomotives, carriages, structures, artefacts and archives, with the welfare benefits of volunteering opportunities and conservation of its species rich lineside environment in a National Park.

Latest Income: £9,802,049
Areas of Operation: North Yorkshire
Status: Registered
View Details

The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust

Charitable activities, Heritage

The Trust's primary objectives are the presentation of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, the most complete 18th Century dockyard in the world, and the education of the public in its historical, architectural and arcaheological importance.

Latest Income: £9,759,615
Areas of Operation: Medway
Status: Registered
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Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Limited

Heritage

The principal activities of the Trust are the preservation of historic properties and the development and management, as an educational charity, of Museums relating to the industrial, social and economic history of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site and related areas, with particular reference to the Industrial Revolution.

Latest Income: £9,194,747
Areas of Operation: Shropshire
Status: Registered
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The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Arts, Heritage

To promote in every part of the world the appreciation and study of the plays and works of William Shakespeare.To maintain and preserve the Shakespeare birthplace properties for the benefit of the nation.To provide and maintain a museum and a library of books, manuscripts, records of historical interest and objects of antiquity with reference to Shakespeare, his life works and times.

Latest Income: £8,440,000
Areas of Operation: Warwickshire
Status: Registered
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The Paul Mellon Centre For Studies In British Art

Arts, Heritage

The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art was established for charitable purposes to advance the education in, & appreciation & understanding of British art history & architecture, in the UK & elsewhere by engaging in & promoting research, publishing books & journals, holding academic events & education programmes, providing library & archive resources, & awarding grants & fellowships.

Latest Income: £8,268,032
Areas of Operation: Various
Status: Registered
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The Association For Cultural Exchange Limited

Arts, Education, Heritage

The Association provides study tours and courses; supports cultural exchange; promotes conferences, lectures, concerts, exhibitions, events, seminars and exchange visits of an educational nature; awards bursaries and scholarships and makes donations; supports education in history, music, art, architecture, design, literature, environmental studies, and theory of education.

Latest Income: £7,498,913
Areas of Operation: England And Wales
Status: Registered
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The Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth Remembrance Trust

Economic and community development, Education, Heritage, Leisure, Research

Promotion of education and training in the science, practice and history of aviation and automotive transportandPromotion of education and training in the science and practice of agriculture, food production and management of rural resources by making arrangements for the provision and conduct of a college.

Latest Income: £6,829,000
Areas of Operation: Bedford
Status: Registered
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The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society

Charity and VCS support, Heritage

Fundraising for restoration. Publication of historical and technical information. Public meetings on related matters. Collection of archives and artefacts displayed on the Internet and available for research.

Latest Income: £6,051,895
Areas of Operation: Scotland
Status: Registered
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Arundel Castle Trustees Limited

Heritage

The Charity preserves the buildings, grounds and chattels of Arundel Castle for public benefit to whom it gives access for a minimum of 100 days per annum. To maximise the public enjoyment and education by refurbishing and improving displays and the condition of artefacts, supported by hosting special events such as jousting, civil war re-enactments and other events in keeping with its history.

Latest Income: £5,701,722
Areas of Operation: West Sussex
Status: Registered
View Details

The National Memorial Arboretum Company Limited

Heritage, Housing, Society

The NMA is home to 150 acres of trees and over 300 memorials including the Armed Forces Memorial. It provides a focal point for the commemoration of those who have given their lives, reunion of those who served and the education of all in citizenship, military history, the effects of armed conflict, conflict resolution and reconciliation. It is a suitable venue for celebrations and group visits.

Latest Income: £5,444,000
Areas of Operation: Staffordshire
Status: Registered
View Details

York Conservation Trust Limited

Charitable activities, Heritage

The charitable company's policy is to acquire, renovate and maintain property of historical, architectural or constructional interest in the County of North Yorkshire in accordance with its objects.The charity does not generally award grants to third parties.

Latest Income: £4,358,982
Areas of Operation: City Of York
Status: Registered
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The Wardens And Assistants Of Rochester Bridge In The County Of Kent

Economic and community development, Heritage

The maintenance and improvement of two road bridges and a services bridge (known as Rochester Bridge). Care of and access to archives and historical artefacts. The promotion of other charitable purposes through projects and the award of grants for education and research in engineering, agriculture & history; heritage structures; and charitable purposes connected to the River Medway.

Latest Income: £3,858,749
Areas of Operation: Various
Status: Registered
View Details

Great Western Society Limited

Heritage

1) To preserve, restore and operate as a permanent public exhibition and museum, steam and other railway locomotives, rolling stock and equipment, both for historical and educational purposes, and2) To make available for public reference the history, equipment and operation all with reference to both the former Great Western Railway and its successors since nationalisation on 1 January 1948

Latest Income: £3,853,845
Areas of Operation: Various
Status: Registered
View Details

Vintage Trains Charitable Trust

Heritage

The principal activity and object is to encourage and promote public interest in the preservation of steam and other railway locomotives and rolling stock of historical importance. The company continues with the restoration of locomotives and rolling stock.

Latest Income: £3,577,393
Areas of Operation: Birmingham City
Status: Registered
View Details

Whitechapel Gallery

Arts, Beneficiary group, Charitable activities, Education, Heritage

The Charitable organisation main objectives are:The provision and maintenance of an art gallery for exhibition to the public of modern and historical fine art; modern and historical design and applied art; and work done by school children and local communities.Promoting and encouraging the education of the public in the arts both in the Gallery and elsewhere.

Latest Income: £3,492,524
Areas of Operation: London
Status: Registered
View Details

Weald And Downland Open Air Museum Limited

Arts, Heritage

The charity's main objects are to stimulate public interest in and to promote the preservation of buildings of architectural or historical interest and to stimulate public interest in ancient crafts, trades and manufactures.

Latest Income: £3,369,813
Areas of Operation: Various
Status: Registered
View Details

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD

Heritage

The Charity is principally engaged in Museums management, Collections management and care, Restoration of heritage railway carriages and Education, Learning and Community Outreach in relation to heritage railways, their social and economic history and their relationship to the environment.

Latest Income: £3,046,688
Areas of Operation: England And Wales
Status: Registered
View Details

Watts Gallery Trust

Arts, Heritage

The Watts Gallery Trust seeks to promote the understanding and appreciation of the Victorian artist G F Watts OM RA 1817-1904 and the ceramic artist Mary Seton Watts, in the context of the 19th Century, and to promote Compton as a centre for exploring Victorian art, social history and craft for present and future generations.

Latest Income: £2,812,273
Areas of Operation: Surrey
Status: Registered
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Drapers Charitable Fund

Heritage, Social welfare

Improving the quality of life and expectations of people and their communities, particularly those disadvantaged or socially excluded by funding organisations in the fields of education and social welfare, particularly in Greater London. Promotes the Company's textile heritage, maintains its traditional support for the City of London and its historical connections in Northern Ireland.

Latest Income: £2,685,027
Areas of Operation: England And Wales
Status: Registered
View Details
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Frequently asked questions about this sector

How many history heritage charities are there in the UK?

There are 1,157 registered history heritage charities on the Charity Commission for England and Wales register at the most recent refresh.

Which is the largest of the history heritage charities by income?

Wellcome Trust is the largest by latest reported annual income (£569.5m). Notable peers are listed on this page; the full ranking is available by sorting the results by highest income.

What is the combined annual income of history heritage charities?

History heritage charities reported a combined annual income of £2.7bn across their most recent filings with the Charity Commission.

What is a typical program ratio for history heritage charities?

Across all history heritage charities, the aggregate program ratio (charitable expenditure as a share of income) is 100.0%. Individual charity ratios vary widely — see each profile for a sector-band benchmark.

What is the average annual income of history heritage charities?

History heritage charities have an average annual income of £758k. The distribution is heavily skewed: a small number of large charities account for most sector income, while the majority report under £100k a year.

Where does this data come from?

All figures are sourced from the Charity Commission for England and Wales public register, refreshed weekly. Derived metrics (program ratio, efficiency) are calculated by Charity Finder using the formulas documented on the data sources page.