Butser Ancient Farm is one of 445 heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government thanks to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. 

445 organisations will share £103 million, including Butser Ancient Farm to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector. 

The grant awarded to Butser Ancient Farm is £284,800 which will be a lifeline in these challenging times. Part of the grant will help fund staffing and maintenance costs at the farm throughout the winter period when our income has been severely hit by Coronavirus restrictions. The financial support will also help to complete the constructions of our Stone Age house and Saxon house and develop our buildings and site in order to safely welcome visitors, school children and groups to learn about our ancient history in the years to come. The funding will also allow us to make adaptations in order to cope with Covid-19 restrictions such as additional covered shelters and developing online offerings whilst restrictions to on the ground activities remain in place.

This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund - funded by Government and administered at arms length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans. 

433 organisations will receive a share of £67 million from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage to help with costs for operating, reopening and recovery. This includes famous heritage sites across the country, from Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Blyth Tall Ship to the Severn Valley Railway, the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincolnshire to the Piecehall in Halifax. The funds will save sites that are a source of pride for communities across the country. 

12 organisations, including English Heritage, Landmark Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and the Canal and River Trust, will receive £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart construction and maintenance on cherished heritage sites to preserve visitor attractions and protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors in the sector. 

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has also been awarded a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund through Historic England. The AHF will use the funding to support charities and social enterprises occupying historic buildings to develop new business plans and strategies for organisations affected by the pandemic. 

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: 

“As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.” 

Simon Jay, Butser Ancient Farm Director, said:

‘We are incredibly grateful for the funding we have received from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage which will allow the Farm to keep going and developing over the coming months and years. We have exciting plans as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2022 and are thrilled to be able to continue our experimental archaeology and educational work to continue to bring the past to life for more visitors, schools and groups. The funding will enable us to maintain the unique skills and environment of Butser Ancient Farm and support our staff and volunteers whilst providing a much needed outdoor space for school groups, visitors and the local community to access our heritage and nature.’