More than 450 heritage organisations are set to share the first wave of a ยฃ1.57bn government handout to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.
The Culture Recovery Fund is aimed at securing the future of museums, galleries and heritage sites.
Sites to receive funding from the first tranche of ยฃ103m include Blackpoolโs Winter Gardens, the Severn Valley Railway and Gloucester Cathedral.
Historic England called the funding an โessential lifelineโ.
A total of 455 organisations across England will receive cash aimed at keeping venues open and supporting those working in the heritage sector.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the grants of up to ยฃ1m would โdeliver a lifeline for the heritage sector in Englandโ.
It said a further round of grants of up to ยฃ3m would be announced soon.
Organisations, including English Heritage, the Landmark Trust and Historic Royal Palaces, will receive ยฃ34m from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart conservation and maintenance.
Many conservation projects were put on hold when visitor attractions were shut during the lockdown, threatening the livelihoods of heritage contractors and specialists.
Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said the pandemic meant conservation work on its six properties โ including Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London โ was stopped.
โThe grant we have received will enable to this work to resume โ so we can give some of Britainโs most historic buildings the care and attention they deserve, while supporting the specialist craftspeople who are vital for the future of our national heritage.โ
Among others set to benefit are the Portsmouth Naval Base Trust, which has been awarded ยฃ698,600, while the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall is due to receive ยฃ606,400 and Manchesterโs Victoria Bath Trust ยฃ156,000.
Beneficiaries also include sites familiar to some viewers as locations in famous TV series and films, such as Gloucester Cathedral, used for the Harry Potter films, which is set to receive ยฃ200,000 and Highclere Castle, the setting of ITVโs Downton Abbey, which has been awarded ยฃ72,000.
Heritage Railway lines, including Swanage Railway in Dorset, Spa Valley Railway in Kent and Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire, have also been awarded grants.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: โAs a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past.
โThis massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post-Covid.โ
