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Will London museums remain free?

12 replies

Perroquet · 17/10/2021 16:37

London's museums like the British Museum, V&A, National Gallery, etc. are incredible cultural gems. Unlike Paris, New York, etc. we are blessed with free admission to these world-famous museums so that art and history can be accessible to all, not just those who can afford it.

But now with Brexit and the funding cuts for arts, will these national treasures continue to remain free in the near future? Or are there already ongoing talks about charging admission for basic entry (not just special exhibitions)? Can anyone who works at any of these places offer some perspective?

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Perroquet · 17/10/2021 20:38

@Sapphire387 That's good to hear!

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Sapphire387 · 17/10/2021 18:46

I lately worked at one of the major London museums and still have a lot of friends there. There is no current talk of charging for admission.

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Perroquet · 17/10/2021 18:32

Yes my family donation rule is £5 per person for any free museum, show, etc. I will happily continue doing that but if the BM starts charging say £30 individual tickets like the Tower then we will not be able to visit as frequently.

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Hollyhead · 17/10/2021 18:20

They are ‘free’ but you are meant to pay what you can in my opinion. If you can afford it you should always make a donation when attending so that they remain free for those who genuinely can’t. We always donate £10 if we go as a family and £5 if I go alone.

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AnnunciataZ · 17/10/2021 18:18

The benefit of HRP, apart from free entry, is that you can go to member only events like night visits etc at the Tower when it isn't full of tourists.

Alas I lost several months of my membership to Covid and they didn't even offer an extension once the buildings reopened!

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Perroquet · 17/10/2021 18:07

Thanks for suggesting the Art Pass, will take a look!

I'm interested in HRP mainly for the Tower of London. Not very artsy of course but I LOVE the history of the Tower more than any other historical site in the country. But if it came down to buying membership for the Tower vs membership for British Museum I think I would choose BM.

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AliceinBorderland · 17/10/2021 17:48

Special exhibitions I mean

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AliceinBorderland · 17/10/2021 17:48

@AnnunciataZ

Have you thought of buying an Art Pass from the Art Fund? It gives free entry to several properties (including Kensington Palace) and half-price entry to exhibitions at most major museums and galleries.

I have one of those. It is very good.

I wouldn't bother with Historic Royal Palaces membership. I got utterly sick of Hampton Court after a few visits. It doesn't change much or have that many exhibitions.
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sashagabadon · 17/10/2021 17:45

They’ve been talking about them not being free anymore for 20 years. Since the day after they became free. Just keep enjoying them until they stop being free. I can’t see it happening anytime soon. But they will probably have more paid for bits and after hours etc. Natural history museum has all sorts going on it it now. A silent disco the other day.

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AnnunciataZ · 17/10/2021 17:33

Have you thought of buying an Art Pass from the Art Fund? It gives free entry to several properties (including Kensington Palace) and half-price entry to exhibitions at most major museums and galleries.

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Perroquet · 17/10/2021 17:26

@AnnunciataZ Nope, I'm just an art/history lover who goes to museums a lot. Also I was thinking of buying life membership for Historic Royal Palaces (which are not free) but wanted to know for budget planning purposes if I might have to buy membership for British Museum, V&A etc. in the near future due to their potentially stopping free entry. If that happens, I would rather save my money to buy life membership for those museums rather than HRP.

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AnnunciataZ · 17/10/2021 17:17

The British Museum and National Gallery have always been free. The V&A and other South Ken museums charged for entry until about 20 years ago.

Are you writing an article OP?

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