The United Kingdom Government has confirmed that national museums in England will continue to offer free admission to all visitors, regardless of their nationality. This decision comes after a review of the museum sector and consideration of whether to introduce charges for overseas tourists. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport stated that the decision was made to ensure that everyone can enjoy universal free admission to world-class national museums in England.
The review, conducted by Baroness Margaret Hodge and published in December 2025, examined the financial pressures faced by museums and potential solutions. The Government had committed to exploring the possibility of charging international visitors as part of its response to the review. However, it concluded that such charges could deter domestic visitors and have uneven effects on the museum sector. As a result, the Government has decided to maintain the current free-entry policy.
Free admission to national museums was introduced in 2001, and the policy has been successful in attracting millions of visitors. In 2025, 7.1 million people visited the Natural History Museum, while 6.4 million visited the British Museum. National museums contribute more than £1bn annually to the economy, with seven of the 10 most visited museums in the UK being national museums. The Government emphasized that the free-entry policy would continue to apply regardless of visitors' nationality.
The decision to maintain free admission has been welcomed by museum visitors and staff. The Government also provides funding for museums and cultural organizations through several programs. The £1.5bn Arts Everywhere Fund includes £760m for museums, while £600m in infrastructure funding is supporting national museums and DCMS-sponsored cultural organizations with critical maintenance and work on their estates.
In addition to the Arts Everywhere Fund, the Government is investing £160m in local and regional museums. The Museum Estates and Development Fund will help museums tackle maintenance backlogs, while the £13.6m Museum Transformation program will support organizations in developing more sustainable business models. These initiatives aim to help national museums meet commitments to share their collections and expertise across the country.
The Government has also committed to working with Arts Council England and the museum sector to develop a long-term strategic plan for the future of museums. This plan will focus on ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of museums for future generations. Further details on the plan will be released in due course.
The UK Government's decision to maintain free admission to national museums reflects its commitment to preserving and promoting the country's cultural heritage. With millions of visitors each year, national museums play a vital role in the UK's cultural and economic landscape. The Government's funding initiatives and strategic plan will help ensure the continued success and accessibility of these institutions.
Key points
- UK national museums will remain free for all visitors, regardless of nationality.
- The decision follows a review of the museum sector and consideration of charging overseas tourists.
- The Government is providing funding for museums through several programs, including the £1.5bn Arts Everywhere Fund.
