Museums Welcome Government Announcement Of Free Admission For All
The Directors of the UK’s National Museums and leading figures across the cultural sector have warmly welcomed the government’s announcement today that entry to the 15 national museums will remain free to everyone and admission charges for international visitors will not be introduced.
Sir Tristram Hunt, Director, V&A, said: “The V&A knows the huge difference which free entry to our national museums makes: transforming visitor numbers; opening up the collections; celebrating our heritage of democratic access to art. It is a critical part of what makes the UK a cultural Superpower. I am delighted that the Government has re-committed itself to this foundational Labour Party policy.”
The announcement was made by Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy at an event hosted by Art Fund and The Cultural Policy Unit at Tate Liverpool, a museum celebrated for sharing the best of the national art collection with the North of England, and which will reopen to all for free next year following a major transformation.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Our museums are the places that light up the world. 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, forever, 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.”
Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said: “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.”
Universal free entry to the UK’s National Museums, which came into effect on 1 December 2001, will celebrate its 25th anniversary later this year. This landmark cultural policy is an outstanding public good which remains one of the great achievements of the Labour government, emphasising a core belief in the value of access for all. Upheld by successive governments, 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 policy has dramatically boosted visitor numbers, encouraged enterprising business models, and driven economic growth through cultural tourism alongside international research and global partnerships:
Alison Cole, Director, The Cultural Policy Unit, said: “This is one of the landmark cultural policies of our times – one that has established itself as a universal public good. It is wonderful that the Government has recognised not only its economic merits, but also its power to express our values and shape how we engage with the world.”
Visits to the 15 national museums have risen by 96% – from 22.77m in 1999/2000 to 44.67m in 2025/26 – a long-term growth in attendance.
Free national museums are among the country’s leading visitor attractions: six of the ten most visited ALVA (Association of Leading Visitor Attraction) member attractions in 2025 were national museums, with between six and eight free national museums in the top ten list since 2004.
Victoria Siddall, Director, National Portrait Gallery, said: “For 25 years, free admission to national museums has opened up art, history and culture to millions of people, becoming a source of inspiration and opportunity as well as great national pride. The impact of this is reflected in the extraordinary creativity that enriches our society and economy today. We are delighted to continue welcoming everyone through the doors of the NPG to experience the history and culture of the UK through portraits of the people who shaped it.”
Data on inbound tourism to Britain from overseas in 2024 shows 11.82m trips included a visit to a museum or gallery, representing 30.3% of all inbound visits. These visitors spent £12.66bn across their trips. For those holidaying in London, 57.9% visited a museum or gallery.
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.
Laura Pye, Director, National Museums Liverpool, said: “We’re delighted that universal free entry is being maintained. It keeps our collections accessible to everyone and helps national museums continue to draw visitors from across the UK and around the world, supporting tourism and bringing real benefits to our cities and communities.”
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, Wallace Collection.
Dame Bridget Riley, artist, said: “It is wonderful news that the National Museums Collections will maintain free entry. One cannot overestimate the immense value of being able to drop in to look at a painting and refresh the mind and spirit. We have done the right thing.”
