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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:
BackforGood · 30/08/2015 19:30

So Lilytucker has proved the point - if there's somewhere you want to go badly enough, you find a way to make it work.

When my dc were young, we asked grandparents not to buy them "stuff" at Christmas, but to buy us an annual pass for the Think Tank, so, as a family, we spent a year visiting that a LOT. We went to Legoland with the dc's Blue Peter Cards so it cost them nothing, and dh and I went on some BOGOF deal, so 5 of us went in for the price of one. My SiL is brilliant at it - you look for vouchers / offers / save points or tesco clubcard points etc and make it work for whichever treat you want that year.

Sirzy · 30/08/2015 19:31

So because one family was lucky enough to be able to do that you think all can?

NellysKnickers · 30/08/2015 19:33

We buy an annual pass for local council run museums, makes it easier on funds, they will probably offer similar. Those who think it should be free - who should fund it's upkeep???

NellysKnickers · 30/08/2015 19:35

And FWIW we are on a tight budget, Just in case anyone thinks we are loaded!

LilyTucker · 30/08/2015 19:38

But many won't bother for a museum. The very kids that need to be taken wouldn't.

And an annual pass for Xmas is pretty useless if you live 5 hours away and can't afford the petrol to make multiple trips.

Lurkedforever1 · 30/08/2015 19:45

Well of course sirzy. Let's scrap state education and start charging at point of service for that too, cos you know some kids get scholarships for independents so clearly everyone who can't afford school can do that too. And of course there's shit loads of vouchers/ club card/ cash back deals etc for people who shop in aldi/ lidl and charity shops to pay for days out. Fuck it lets charge for parks too, they cost a fortune in upkeep, and it's not fair dear tarquinella has to share them with the underclasses.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 30/08/2015 20:19

Only going because they get something free. Perhaps so, perhaps it's the only opportunity they get to take their children out. Not everyone is born with a diamond spoon in their mouths.
It's educational for the children not to mention fun filled, too. So you're one of those who thinks only the children of rich parents deserve good days out to enhance their learning.
What's next charging children for playing in a play ground, while the poor kids stand and watch.
Plus where is everyone's taxes going
Oh yes YABU.

Puffinsharon · 30/08/2015 20:30

Good, make it a nominal fee, like about £5 per child or something so that it's a deterrent to scumbags but not too expensive. Less skanks in the museums can only be a good thing. And lose the packed lunch room too. Subsidised (lottery funded?) food from an enlarged cafe would make further income at sensible rates.

FuzzyWizard · 30/08/2015 20:33

I can't work out of your post is ironic, Puffins

Puffinsharon · 30/08/2015 20:39

@Fuzz

It began as ironic, but the place was rammed last week. Charge for kids but make adults free maybe? It's not the adults that annoy me, you see.

Lurkedforever1 · 30/08/2015 20:41

£5 to keep out scumbags? Cos obviously only skanks can't afford that much? And of course God forbid Horatio and Ermengarde get within 10' of some cheap white bread so get rid of the chance to bring a packed lunch. Ffs.

Puffinsharon · 30/08/2015 20:46

@Lurked

I have three neighbours who've visited NatHistMu and SciMu at least twice each over the holidays. It's as if it's the only dry day out in London.

Then they tell me about how awesome 'SciMu' was. That's not even a frigging word!

fuzzpig · 30/08/2015 20:47

My DCs are 8 and 6, they've never been to a theme park (apart from DD who was invited along for her BFF's birthday - they are a very generous family and refused any money for it, though of course we offered).

They've been to loads of museums though because most of them are free. Lets see, National Gallery, The Tate, Tate Modern (several times - did pay for a couple of special exhibitions there though as it was a favourite artist), NHM, British Museum, haven't done the Science Museum yet though. But all that lovely learning, generally only for the cost of a travelcard. :) We also did a trip to Greenwich and paid for Cutty Sark using a train ticket 2for1 thing but IIRC we were able to do the Maritime and the Astronomy Centre free - there's no way we could've done all 3 if they all charged, but it was a great day being able to visit all of them.

NewBallsPlease00 · 30/08/2015 20:47

I have a high income but low disposable one, London as a day trip is just about doable booked as soon as the cheap train fares are released
The free entry has enabled us to take our young son to nhm and sm already just for a short period which he loved - otherwise it would have been years so he 'appreciates' it
I travel extensively for work- many countries charge overseas tourists a nominally higher fee, so for example why not charge non UK residents £5 head- assuming even 10% visitors were in that bracket £5m would be generated and still at an affordable level for tourists but free for residents

OhSoggyBiscuit · 30/08/2015 20:52

The Natural History Museum is part of the reason I long for a tube line in South East London. One of my favourite places to go (and I haven't seen the dinosaur wing for years!) but it costs a fortune in train+tube+bus fares to get there. No way would I want to fork out £10 on top, I can't afford that.

Iamatotalandutteridiot · 30/08/2015 21:03

The SciMu IS AWESOME :-)

I'm going twice in the next two weeks and the NHM once.

'm such a skank ;-)

Puffinsharon · 30/08/2015 21:13

visiting the SciMu (argh! now I'm doing it) doesn't make you a skank, I'm sure Brian Cox has been and he's certainly quite pleasant.

Original poster
Ironfistfunkymum · 30/08/2015 21:15

Wow at some of the judgements made on me!

I'm not wealthy at all, but I prioritise my money. I drive a 17 year old CaR, my smart phone is 3 years old, Never had a new kitchen or bathroom. I just prioritse my money. I'm sure lots of the people saying they cant afford it could if they spend their money differently. Fed up of people saying they can't afford something when clearly they could, but choose to spend this money on other stuff. Obviously some are in real poverty but most are not.

I'm sure all the foreign visitors that must spend thousands with a family in London on holiday could afford a few quid for the museum upkeep.

People have Just got used to something being free so find it outrageous in paying money for it.

OP posts:
Doublebubblebubble · 30/08/2015 21:17

I do a group saver ticket (to waterloo) for the train + tube and for me, dh and DD it is around £52 to get to London... Then we either take a picnic (which tbh is hardly ever, as lugging a picnic around London is no fun for anyone let me tell you) or we go to the tesco express that is literally opposite the tube station, south kensington, and stock up on nummies. (Or if my dm is coming with us (which she often does tbf) she'll pay for the train tickets or the food and we'll take it in turns...)

So our day out is roughly £70-80. 2 x a year. Not bad I think for an educational activity in LONDON. I normally save and save and save budget for trips out and when dc2 comes along in about a months time it will be even more strict but I don't intend on stopping going to London just because it is a bit expensive. I think that even paying £5 or £10 a ticket is fairly reasonable. Having said that they wouldnt\shouldnt be able to charge for the temporary displays but that's just mho x

Puffinsharon · 30/08/2015 21:20

Last year's 'Photographer of the Year' exhibition was great and you know why?

Really nice photos, that's why. 'Otters at Dawn' in particular.

Majestic

SuburbanRhonda · 30/08/2015 21:36

OP, I've read a few of your threads over the past few days.

You really are the gift that keeps on giving, aren't you?

NoDramaForTheLlama · 30/08/2015 21:39

Wow, we have been to both a few times and have never queued, or had to look over a sea of 3000 heads to see the dinosaur! They've never felt particularly busy. I absolutely think they should remain free - they are such a benefit to so many children.

TendonQueen · 30/08/2015 21:54

And where are our next generation of scientists going to come from if only the affluent get to go and be inspired by science and national history? Not from the super rich, because it won't pay well enough. That's the capitalist argument. The humane argument is that learning about these things should be freely available to anyone of any age, the same as access to green space and libraries should be free. They'll be next to go...

Whyisitsodifficult · 30/08/2015 22:02

Slightly off topic, I'm planning on taking my three young DC's to The National History next week, will it be hell!? I'm getting scared after reading this thread! Any top tips apart from don't do it?

lavendersun · 30/08/2015 22:04

A trip to London and museum visits was not affordable when I was young (travelling from rural N Yorks), simply unaffordable. I didn't visit London until I was 20 years old, came to love the museums and visited as often as I could. Revelled in it when I moved to London and lived there for many years.

Lets not forget that there are fantastic museums all around the country, yes the NHM is the jewel in the crown, but there are some really good museums out there.

Still have a very good STEM degree despite everything.

We have so many expectations these days - free museums when as a country our fiscal position is dire.

I would love it to remain free for all but we forget that it hasn't always been free, and it certainly won't always be free.

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