News story

Museums remain a firm favourite for visitors in England

Latest stats show increase in monthly visits compared to same period in 2013.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

4.1 million visits were made to museums and galleries sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in February 2014 according to Official Statistics published today. A 5% increase on the same period a year previously.

Popular attractions such as the Mallard 75 event at the Locomotion at Shildon Museum boosted visits. Nearly 120,000 visits were made in just 8 days to see the world’s fastest locomotive reunited with is 5 surviving sister locomotives.

These statistics also build upon findings from last week’s Taking Part Survey, which showed that over half of all adults in England had visited a museum or art gallery in the last year. Further to this, 78% had attended or participated in the arts and 73% had visited a heritage site.

Watch our video where you tell us why you love free museums

Published 3 April 2014