I'm surprised at how many charge! And how much!
I'm a weegie by birth and my family are very into museums and art galleries and similar, a trip "home" to glasgow always included a day out to the transport museum and art galleries across the road. I have such fond memories I'm actually finding it really hard to like the "new" riverside location.
Dad was army and we lived all over uk too and my parents always seemed to find free museums, art galleries etc wherever we were. We liked exploring wherever we were at the time rather than waste the opportunity. And we lived at times in places that are often jokingly referred to as grey, concrete, cultural wastelands. There was always something.
And this was definitely pre "Labour made it all free" as I'm talking 70's/80's, very early 90's as we all left home before new Labour were voted in.
My ex was also under the impression such places "weren't for the likes of us" which I found odd as his parents aren't like that, his dad in particular is very into art.
I moved back to Scotland just over a decade ago with dd and had many trips to various museums, many of which put on special free events in the school holidays, anything from themed painting and colouring sessions to dressing up and experiencing Victorian schooldays. Fabulous stuff.
Donated when I could afford but was so glad they were free as it meant when funds were particularly right could still go (mainly when I was working but low paid so had a seasonal travel pass anyway, would take a packed lunch with us and we'd eat in kelvingrove park, even in the rain) Some of our best shared memories are of these days out. Even when we couldn't donate we'd send thank you cards.
Definitely NOT just London 🤔
Importantwater yes I've come across people who think there's a fee for borrowing books and even looked at me with a "get outta here" type look when I've told them no it's completely free to borrow books providing you return them on time, I remember having a conversation with someone who was absolutely convinced I was winding them up back in DVD rental days when I said I didn't use the commercial place but used the library as it was generally about half the price. Even got to the point she was saying "but they won't have the latest films surely?" And I asked her what she'd just rented, I was able to show her on my library video pass that I'd rented it the week before. She'd paid 2.5 times more than me to watch exactly the same film.
I've also had people say things to me like they can't afford to get a load of printing done or need to scan a document but the commercial place that did it was closed - they didn't realise you could do stuff like that at the library. Usually much cheaper or even free. Eg local commercial place that does printing 50p for b&w a4 sheet, library 10p!
I have no problem with people not visiting museums, art galleries etc if it's not of interest to them, I just think it's a shame if they don't go because they wrongly think there's an entrance fee, when there isn't, or they think it's more expensive than it is.