Museum and gallery attendance in England 2021-2023, by age
In England, national museums supported by the governments’ Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) offer free entry for all. Free museum admissions are a central part of the DCMS’s cultural policy, with the aim of increasing social inclusion and participation in the country’s cultural offerings. Since the initiative was reintroduced in 2001, visitor numbers have generally increased. However demographically speaking, attendance still tends to be higher among those in upper socio-economic groups and wealthier areas, where the impact of fees is considered to be less of a barrier.