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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be happy the science museum and natural history museum might have an entrance fee soon

369 replies

Ironfistfunkymum · 30/08/2015 07:06

It makes the place unbearably busy, often have to queue to get in and most people don't appreciate it. They are just going as its something "free".

OP posts:
SleepyForest · 30/08/2015 12:45

I am jealous of all the free attractions in London. My dcs don't have access to many free days out up here in Yorkshire.

I love the nhm though and wish we could visit more often. I went on a dinosaur sleepover there, We slept under dippy's tail. That floor is bloody hard.

LazyLohan · 30/08/2015 12:55

The crowding in the hall at NHM could be solved by either moving the crowds down the corridor or introducing a deli like ticket system where people are called in groups of 50 to come in. The hall is beautiful and the queue does spoil it.

wafflyversatile · 30/08/2015 12:56

So if it's a sunny day people follow outdoor pursuits and if it's a rainy day people follow indoor pursuits therefore museums should charge so only the well-off can enjoy them?

I remember when the museums became free and that there was an issue that they had to choose to either be govt funded and be free, or charge however much they needed to charge to fully fund themselves, which seemed a bit silly to me.

Options are:

Be free to all and govt funded
Be free to anyone turning up with proof of a UK address but charge tourists
Charge a small amount and be subsidised by the govt.
Have reduced price or free tickets for certain sections of the community.

I'm not in favour of charging because some people think only people like them, those who can afford it can appreciate it.

maybebabybee · 30/08/2015 13:06

I get very frightened in large crowds of people and anywhere with massive crowds really puts me off. I would honestly really welcome a free ticketing system if it meant these places could be a little less busy.

wafflyversatile · 30/08/2015 13:11

I'm not sure how a free ticketing system would change how busy they are. They presumably already control how many people come in and limit it to what they think is a reasonable level.

wafflyversatile · 30/08/2015 13:15

We didn't stop Irish people coming here during 'the troubles'. Most of them just wanted a better life. A tiny number must have been IRA.

Sirzy · 30/08/2015 13:15

I think no matter what the admissions cost and procedure the best way to avoid crowds at most places is to get there for opening when it will be quieter for the first half hour or so at least.

wafflyversatile · 30/08/2015 13:15

Sorry wrong thread! Grin Blush

Lurkedforever1 · 30/08/2015 13:16

If it came to a choice between losing some displays/ areas etc, or charging, I think losing some is still better. Much fairer everyone gets to see some of it, than only some people getting to see it all.

Gymbunny1204 · 30/08/2015 13:18

What utter bollocks to say people don't appreciate things when they are free.

Fee days out we've enjoyed and appreciated

Picnics
Beach
Park
Local beauty spot/view point
Places of national interest.

Just a few pounds mounts up when more than one of you.

ChristineDePisan · 30/08/2015 13:20

Anyone who has queued outside the NHM, spending hours snaking around the outside knows that they are strict on the numbers going in and out when it gets really busy.

I've been to museums and galleries elsewhere in the EU that are free if you can show an EU member state passport - so American, Chinese etc tourists have to pay but not those who have already paid through taxation. That would be a possible middle way.

But personally I would be incredibly sad if they re-introduced an entry fee: the local science museum here costs about 20 quid each (for adults and children) - we have been once in the time that we would have gone to the NHM or SM about 4 times.

Aeroflotgirl · 30/08/2015 13:23

Yabvvvu. A few pounds, I don't think so, could cost well over £40!for a family of 4, if you wanted to visit other ones the same day that would make it £80+, money which even the MC would find hard to find.

Gymbunny1204 · 30/08/2015 13:28

If we go to a free museum we are more likely to spend more in the gift shop than we would have done if we'd had to pay upwards of £60 to get in. They will make money there obviously.

stupidgreatgrinonmyface · 30/08/2015 14:14

I remember having to pay when my dcs were young. We live in Greater London, but even so, a day at either NHM or SM used to cost around £35 without any food/drink or gift shop purchases. That was a LOT of money to us back then and if the charges had remained, I am not sure we would have visited more than once a year. Thankfully, the change of government in 1997 made them free and we used to visit frequently, especially the Science Museum. Can't say for sure, but I suspect that those visits as a youngster, as well as visits made without us as he grew older, possibly played a big part in the fact that DC1 took a science degree (with the help of grants) and is now a science teacher.
I truly believe that these museums, which are the National museums for their subject, should remain free.

SeasideSunshine · 30/08/2015 14:23

I've been to museums and galleries elsewhere in the EU that are free if you can show an EU member state passport - so American, Chinese etc tourists have to pay but not those who have already paid through taxation. That would be a possible middle way.

Well, that would effectively keep out the poor and the working class, wouldn't it? Many couldn't afford to get passports for their family members. And it would put many single or divorced parents in a bind as well, because many NRPs would kick off about the RP getting passports, worrying they'll be taking them out of the country. I know that my ex would never agree to that - and I don't know what the current passport rules are, but IIRC it's not a cheap and easy process for children's passports.

TheoriginalLEM · 30/08/2015 14:40

The best things in life are free!

This is true, and as such, I appreciate them much much more than something I have paid for.

If i have paid, there are expectations - something free, i am grateful for what is there, good and bad.

I don't find the science museum too crowded. I did do the NHM in half term once, on a rainy day - i wont be doing that again.

The should remain free. The museums are one of London's main attractions, if they start charging, fewer people will go, and as a result, fewer people will go to the surrounding area and spend their money. So from a purely economical point of view, yabu.

From the point of view that many people wouldnt be able to afford to go to these places at all YABVVU

HermioneWeasley · 30/08/2015 14:48

seaside, I suspect the passports thing was "for illustrative purposes" -I'm assuming that poster used her passport (which she had with her because she had travelled to that EU country) to prove she was an EU resident.

ChristineDePisan · 30/08/2015 14:51

Exactly, Hermione Smile

AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore · 30/08/2015 14:56

Well, yes, I thought it might be, but was just mentioning it. Ideally if they did that, it would only be a matter of showing some type of local ID. But honestly, I would like to see it stay free. There's got to be another way. Even a small fee could make it out of reach for quite a few people, and it should be accessible to all.

Hi5Hello · 30/08/2015 15:01

OP - first, thank you for recognising that you and your family do not appreciate the NHM and SM now it is free and therefore staying away from them - and leaving the rest of us with a tiny bit more space

Secondly - YABVU - the opportunities - however crowded are golddust - you never know what a child may spot out of their corner of their eye.

Third - Tax - These places with be far better funded by a local tax brought in by the local businesses - the whole of the south kensington area benefits from them being there - even a 1p in a £1 local tax on pubs, eateries and even the ice cream vans would bring a LOT in.

Forthly - Can you PM at October half term so that I can remind my children not to appreciate the Smithsonian whilst we are in Washington with DH's work? we can spend all week there and not spend a penny and I have sneaking suspiousian that DD1 and DD2 - love it and come out inspired and I would hate to think I am bringing them up wrong

mrsseed · 30/08/2015 15:11

We go to the museums for an hour or 2 at a time, to reinforce what the kids are doing at school or let them check out an area of interest. I donate when we go, but if have to pay then I would stop as it would be a price that would expect you to be there all day and not just nip in and the attention span of young children (well mine anyway) would mean they would have had enough and not get value.

NewLife4Me · 30/08/2015 15:13

YABU

So many people can't afford to pay as well as people on benefits.
It doesn't matter how much you earn if your outgoings won't allow the cost.

All children deserve to benefit from museums and galleries, not just the rich.
If you want to pay good for you, why not give a huge donation.

mollie123 · 30/08/2015 15:13

lots of nastiness on what should be an interesting thread especially if there was a discussion about how the funding should be done without of course placing too high a burden on taxpayers throughout the UK. Shock
shame it descended into a personal bunfight but I am not surprised as the OP should have not phrased her OP in the way she did.

Figmentofmyimagination · 30/08/2015 15:35

If OP feels so strongly about overcrowding and the need to charge, she should become a member and/or stick to paying exhibitions, of which there are loads.

With membership of the British museum for example, £60 buys you unlimited access to all the special exhibitions for a whole year, plus a lovely cafe where there is always a seat and a members room with nice toilets and wi-fi. Very good value if you live in London.

mollie123 · 30/08/2015 15:42

yes I agree very good value if you live in London - as usual the rest of England miss out which is a shame as there are lots of bright poor children who cannot benefit because they live outside the metropolis.