GOV.UK
Statistical data set
Museums and galleries monthly visits
We publish the number of visits to museums and galleries sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport here every month.
- Last updated: 4 May 2017
- Next update: 1 June 2017
- Geographic coverage: England
- Frequency of release: Monthly
Summary
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In March 2017 there were a total of 4 million visits to the DCMS-sponsored museums and galleries.
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This is a decrease of 4.3 per cent (178,000 visits) compared with March 2016.
This release provides information about visits to sponsored museums and galleries in England. The visit figures are updated on the first Thursday of each month (aside from January), and will be one month in arrears to allow time for the museums and galleries to collect the data. The release is a time series including previously published data.
The total visit figure refers to all visits to the sponsored museums and galleries, excluding corporate events.
Data collection methods vary between institutions, and each uses a method appropriate to its situation. All data is collected according to the .
All museums and galleries are subject to seasonal fluctuations in the numbers of visits they receive. The general trend is for the visit numbers to be higher during school holidays. Some temporary exhibitions attract large numbers of visits and this will also have an impact on the monthly figures. There may also be occasions when all or part of a museum or gallery is closed for refurbishment, affecting the monthly total.
Figures may be subject to revision. Any amendments will be published on this website in accordance with the Department’s revision statement, available in our compliance statement.
The UK Statistics Authority
This release is published in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (2009) produced by the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA). The UKSA has the overall objective of promoting and safeguarding the production and publication of official statistics that serve the public good. It monitors and reports on all official statistics, and promotes good practice in this area.
Pre-release access
The contains a list of ministers and officials who have received privileged early access to this release of Museum and Gallery monthly visit figures. In line with best practice, the list has been kept to a minimum and those given access for briefing purposes had a maximum of 24 hours.
Contact
Responsible statistician: Lee Delaney
For any queries please contact 020 7211 6872 or evidence@culture.gov.uk.