Free Museum Access
UK Government Confirms England National Museums Will Remain Free for Everyone
Anonymous
The UK government has confirmed that national museums in England will remain free to everyone, ruling out a proposed admission charge for overseas visitors. Officials said fees could discourage visits and affect museums unevenly; museum leaders and cultural advocates welcomed the decision as preserving broad public access. The government also cited museums’ economic and cultural value and outlined funding for museum operations, maintenance and regional institutions, alongside plans for a long-term strategy for the sector.
Key Points
1
The British Museum recorded 6.4 million visitors in 2025, while the Natural History Museum received 7.1 million.
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The policy covers the UK’s 15 national museums. Universal free entry began on 1 December 2001, and is set to reach its 25th anniversary later this year.
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At the announcement, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said museums “must be free, forever, for everyone to access,” describing the policy as a way to open museums to generations to come.
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National Gallery director Gabriele Finaldi called free admission “one of the UK’s greatest cultural assets” and said the policy is admired by museum peers internationally.
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