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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be surprised at adults not knowing most museums are free?

260 replies

FelineFatale · 03/03/2019 11:37

I've met recently at least four people who didn't know this. One said they didn't take their children to museums because they can't afford it and the other three just thought you had to pay.

I'm close to two of these people and when I said I was amazed they didn't know this they stated most people think you have to pay for museums.

They don't, surely?!

OP posts:
squeezysparklyballs · 03/03/2019 15:11

All but NI seem to have shitloads then- and NI is both small and s special case for lots of things.

clairemcnam · 03/03/2019 15:14

My city has no free museums.

squeezysparklyballs · 03/03/2019 15:15

Which city?

Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 03/03/2019 15:20

As others have said, many - actually I would say most - museums are not free.

Then you have to add in the cost of transport, food & drink, and reach a negotiated settlement with your DC over the gift shop.

As it happens we like going to museums, but I'd never judge those who never go.

Original poster
FelineFatale · 03/03/2019 15:21

I find it very hard to grasp the idea of not liking museums- any museum. You're basically saying that neither you or your family is the slightest bit interested in any history, art or science. I don't understand that.

I don't either.

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 03/03/2019 15:23

When I am on holiday anywhere in the UK I always google free things to do locally including museums
I would estimate from this about half of all museums are free, some only if you are a local resident though and proof of address is required
Some also have separate paying exhibitions
I would say this is also true local to me
The only place I’ve found more free museums is in London
I also like a good castle or stately home and most of them are quite expensive - maybe when I retire it might be worth a membership to EH or NT

IceRebel · 03/03/2019 15:26

they stated most people think you have to pay for museums.

They don't, surely?!

Op are you going to address your initial question? It's clear from the thread that many people believe you have to pay for museums, because in their area that is the norm.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 03/03/2019 15:26

Hmm, I think a lot of things are crap in the UK. Museums and gallery provision isn’t one of them.

Are people seriously complaining because they have to travel half an hour on a train, prep a picnic and do a bit of parenting in the gift shopping?

Should we have a museum in every tiny village with free food and gifts?

clairemcnam · 03/03/2019 15:31

No. But we should have free museums in all cities. We don't.

squeezysparklyballs · 03/03/2019 15:33

Then you have to add in the cost of transport, food & drink, and reach a negotiated settlement with your DC over the gift shop.

All of which are things parents do on a daily basis anyway... unless you're on the absolute bones of your arse and most of us aren't. If you cannot feed or transport your child normally, I'd imagine sorting your finances and getting some benefits advice is probably more pressing than a museum trip anyway.

The "settlement" is saying NO and walking away anyway.

Some people just can't be arsed. It's fair enough but wish they'd just be honest.

Lockheart · 03/03/2019 15:33

@notanothermum that's interesting. Our main store was mostly pottery and stone, so generally pretty stable! We had a more delicate paper archive and metals store, but the metals were stored within individual sealed boxes within that room, so as long as the temperature remained reasonably constant we were able to maintain the environments inside the boxes easily with silica.

TalkinPeece · 03/03/2019 15:35

I find it very hard to grasp the idea of not liking museums- any museum. You're basically saying that neither you or your family is the slightest bit interested in any history, art or science. I don't understand that.
One in three households own no books
If you struggle to understand what makes people who are different from you tick, you need to get out more.

squeezysparklyballs · 03/03/2019 15:37

So what makes them tick? Do educate us!

notanothernam · 03/03/2019 15:38

@Lockheart ours is paper and photographic material so a little more demanding than pottery and other objects I guess! The main museum collection isn't in a controlled environment at all.

joyfullittlehippo · 03/03/2019 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 03/03/2019 15:41

What cities don’t have any free museums then? ‘Cos most little towns have a free museum round here.

That MSE list is full of omissions.

joyfullittlehippo · 03/03/2019 15:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JassyRadlett · 03/03/2019 15:44

Jassy - I don't feel like a freeloader going to a cathedral service for free during a service as I am a person of faith. I am also just as interested in the people and the worship as I am in the buildings. For me, there is nothing better than seeing a church or temple or gudwara being used for the purpose for which it was built.

That’s absolutely fair enough. As I said in my post, different people get different things from visiting churches and cathedrals. For some the experience of worship is the most interesting and meaningful part, so the free entry to worship is appropriate.

For others, like me, the interest is in the building and its history. I do feel it’s appropriate for me to pay to experience those, as I am not participating in the worship and by only accessing the worship areas I’d miss much of what interests me.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m simply saying your preferences aren’t mine, so your way doesn’t work for me.

luckylavender · 03/03/2019 15:48

@FelineFatale - I like museums but I know plenty of really intelligent / interesting people who don't. I love sport but I know many people who don't. I'm not a sci-fi fan or a fan of expensive restaurants, especially with known chefs or taster menus, I don't like Bake Off or Masterchef. Saying you don't understand people who don't like museums is patronising & a little narrow minded too.

rosy71 · 03/03/2019 15:48

Museums here aren't free. I know they are in London and other cities but I expect you have to pay in smaller towns.

rosy71 · 03/03/2019 15:49

We went to the football museum in Manchester at half-term and that wasn't free.

Kazzyhoward · 03/03/2019 15:52

The "free" ones aren't that good at publicising that fact either - on some, it doesn't mention "free" entry in the "visit us" section where you'd expect to find prices alongside opening hours etc.

Original poster
FelineFatale · 03/03/2019 15:53

One in three households own no books

Source?

OP posts:
isabellerossignol · 03/03/2019 15:54

As far as I know Derry doesn't have any free museums, so there's one city with no free museums. The other smaller cities in N Ireland don't have free museums either. In terms of the sort of large museum that you could pass a whole afternoon at, I am only aware of one free one in the whole of N Ireland.

Whereareyouspot · 03/03/2019 15:54

@FelineFatale and OP stop being arses.

You can enjoy art and culture and science without enjoying museums. They aren’t the only medium for enjoyment and your patronising tone is boring