Great 'Free UK Museums & Galleries' Hunt

Haxo

Just another quick one to add for Portsmouth.

Free entry to the D-Day Museum until the end of January 2010 with a Portsmouth Library Card.

Well worth a visit!

brown0027

This marble museum in Bovey Tracey, Devon is free to all.

scotrae

We stumbled across an amazing museum in Poole whilst on holiday. Recently redeveloped, with a great treasure trail for the children. There were different floors and many interactive displays and children's activities. Costumes to try on, earphones to listen to things on, tile patterns to design and so on. Best of all on the top floor there was a drinks machine and toys, paper and crayons etc, a big sofa - as well as doors through to a terrace looking out over the streets and harbour, with chairs and tables. Not a formal coffee shop - but an informal, DIY version and just as swish.

Well worth a visit!

scotrae

Opposite the 'five arches' in Tenby there's a small shop-fronted museum about the Permbrokeshire National Park and Coastal Path. Free to enter with some nice displays and interesting films to watch. It's only small but well worth a 45 minute diversion and a chance to find out more about the local scenery. So much so that I've finally convinced DH that we should start walking the coastal path next time we are down there, and my boys are determined to go to Skomer.

We thought that this was really well put together - just a bit of a shame that there's no room for it to grow any bigger and make more of it.

scotrae

Above the city's library in a beautiful building, this is a real gem. The gallery's exhibitions change but there are often family and children's activities, particularly in school holidays. There is an informal room with some toys, books, paper, crayons etc; an area with costumes for children to try on - and a wonderful chemist-shop, saved just as it was.

The museum of the Worcestershire Regiment and Yeomanry is there too - still free although the musical drum at the end encourages donations and I always feel it's been worthwhile. Again, lots for children to look out for and get involved with - very interesting indeed.

It's closed on Sundays but there's a very nice coffee shop, gift shop and it's a gorgeous setting. Well worth a visit (and only a couple of minute's walk from Worcester Foregate Street rail station).

kevtorr

The Royal Armouries in Leeds is free for all and a great place to visit. They do have some paying attractions, mainly the events that happen in the tiltyard (jousting, falconry etc) but last time i went they were only £1 per person.

It's not just a place for blokes, my wife enjoyed it and we even took the mother in law once.

Jo_Clarke_2

Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery is free and has loads of stuff for adults and families throughout the year. My nephews (aged 10 and 4) love it there - especially the natural history and Egypt galleries. They also enjoy the special events that take place - usually on Saturdays and in the school holidays. I can't post the proper website address here but it's very up to date and well worth a look if you're searching for ideas at plymouthmuseum dot gov dot uk

Bakeacake

In West Yorkshire there are some excellent musuems for fun family days out. Recently we have loved the Leeds City Museum- great animal display, and Romans and Egyptians- with a real mummy! The National Media Museum in Bradford is amazing. I also like smaller places, like the Tolson Museum just a little outside Hudersfield, and a personal favourite, since I love costume and textiles, is the Bankfield Museum in Halifax.

sarahdent

Great thanks for that looking for new ideas especially over christmas hols

shalv81

GNM Great North Museum - Newcastle upon Tyne has just re-opened after being closed & was officially opened lask week by the Queen

i cant post links but google Great North Museum and it will take you to the site