Universal free admission remains for national museums
Admission to England’s 15 nationally funded museums and galleries is to remain free, culture secretary Lisa Nandy announced today, and there will be no special admission charges for foreign visitors.
“Our museums are the places that light up the world” she said at Tate Liverpool. “They remind of us our shared history, and enable us to step outside the confines of our lives. There is something incredibly special about that.
“That’s why they must be free, for ever, for everyone to access. I’m delighted that we’re continuing that transformative policy pioneered by the last Labour government, opening up access to our excellent museums for generations.”
There had recently been suggestions that admission charges for national museums and galleries - funded directly by the government rather than via Arts Council England - should be reintroduced to assist their stretched funding, and alternatively that there should be charges for visitors from overseas. Both have now been rejected.
Free admission was introduced by the then culture secretary Chris Smith in 2001, making this its 25th anniversary year. A DCMS press statement said that the policy had proved a landmark outstanding public good that emphasised a core belief in the value of access for all. “It recognises that our national museums and galleries are pillars of education, inspiration and cultural exchange. Holding world-class collections and founded on a unique public ethos, they are the envy of the world” the statement said.
As a result visitor numbers to the national institutions rose by 96% to almost 45m with six of them being among the country’s ten most visited attractions. The consequent higher footfall allowed the museums and galleries to generate their own income through exhibitions, retail, catering, donations and giving – according to the National Audit Office self-generated income among the 15 was worth £563m in 2024/25.
The British Museum’s director, Nicholas Cullinan, said: “When the British Museum was founded as the world’s first public national museum in 1753 it was to be free for ‘all persons.’ Since then, hundreds of millions of people have benefitted from that elevated idea and endeavour. So, we are delighted by the government’s announcement that free entry for all will be maintained. This will allow everyone to enjoy and have access to our great museums across the nation as one of the things this country does so brilliantly.”
Christ Smith, now Lord Smith, had been advised by Art Fund in formulating the policy. Its director, Jenny Waldmnanb, said today: “The national museums’ collections belong to everyone. Keeping free entry for all will ensure nobody is put off at the door. 25 years of free entry has seen huge benefits in increased visitors, tourism and economic impact - we congratulate the government for committing to maintaining it.”
The Free entry is the strongest commercial model for the national museums, driving high footfall (including 19.4m overseas visits in 2024/25) which has allowed them to generate significant income through exhibitions, retail, catering, donations, and unlocking major giving. Self-generated income across the 15 national museums was £563m in 2024/25, according to The National Audit Office.
The 15 national museums are British Museum, Horniman, Imperial War Museums, Museum of the Home, National Gallery, National Museums Liverpool, National Portrait Gallery, Natural History Museum, Royal Armouries, Royal Museums Greenwich, Science Museum Group, Sir John Soane's Museum, Tate, V&A and Wallace Collection.
Image shows Tate Modern in 2016