Free Museums and Galleries deals page discussion / Report top spots

wrtyke

A gem of a local museum, packed with exhibits about the history, geology, people and places in The Vale of White Horse, with much to interest adults and entertain children. From the outside it looks like it will be a quick visit but you can spend a couple of hours there very easily. There is also a cafe with excellent food and delicious homemade cakes, and a bookshop with a good range of local publications. They often have exhibitions by local artists in the mezzanine gallery.

cs94njw

Small grumble. The Royal Armouries says its free in London. But what it neglects to tell you on the website, is that it's only free... once you've paid to get into the Tower of London.

P.S. British Museum in London is still *Epic*, even if you just walk in for the glass roof thing and eat your lunch.

lintoy6

How qbout The Norris Museum St Ives Cambs?
Peterborough City Museum?
Both good and free.

royalfan

Boston Guildhall Museum is free to visit and makes for a fantastic day out! It's in South Street, Boston in Lincolnshire. It was built in the 1390s and is famously associated with the Pilgrim Fathers! Lots of permanent and temporary exhibitions so you can keep going back for more. Find out more on their website. I can't add a link as I'm a new user but you can find it by searching for Boston Guildhall :j

ke1009

I didn't see the Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh on the list. Entry is free. There may be temporary exhibitions where you need to buy tickets but these are clearly signposted.

Paisieres

Surprisingly excluded from the list of Eastern England museums is Bushey Museum and Art Gallery. It contains the national collection of paintings and artworks by Sir Hubert von Herkomer RA (1849-1914). Herkomer was born in Bavaria, taken to the USA when his parents emigrated in 1851, and returned with them to England around 1860. He set up an internationally famous art school in Bushey in the 1870s and became rich and famous through painting portraits of Victorian notables. Bushey Museum is open Thurs-Sun 11-4 and is free. It also has an extensive local history collection.

ladygreytea

Bridport Museum in West Dorset is free!

The Museum tells the story of the town from its beginnings to the present day. There is a collection of fossils from the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast, an excellent Roman archaeology collection and displays relating to the town's unique rope and net industry.

There are often free family events too and a programme of temporary exhibitions.

The Museum is open April-October, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

Bridport and West Bay were the setting for the popular drama Broadchurch earlier this year- so are popular destinations!

There is also a Local History Centre providing resources and assistance with local and family history research.

More details on the website, Facebook page or follow on Twitter @bridportmuseum

ladygreytea

Bridport Museum in Dorset is free!

CIMA

Calderdale Industrial Museum in Halifax is run by a group of dedicated volunteers who open it to the public as often as possible. During the rest of this year (2013) it will be open on Saturday August 10th, Saturday September 14th and Sunday September 15th.
Doors open at 10am and the last entry is at 3.30, and it is free.
The museum can be found near the railway station, between Square Chapel and BurgerKing. Halifax was once known as the town of 100 trades, and the Industrial Museum houses many artefacts to back that up, from steam engines, carpet looms, sock knitting machines, wire drawing and toffee making. The toffee wrapping machine is usually in action and is very popular with chidren of all ages.
Dates for 2014 are to be arranged soon, and will be announced on Calderdale Industrial Museum Association's website.

Vicky261

Wakefield Museum:
Mondays and Tuesdays 9am - 6pm
Wednesdays 9am - 8pm
Thursdays and Fridays 9am – 7pm
Saturdays 9am – 5pm

An interactive, family-friendly museum co-located with Wakefield Library. Wakefield Museum tells stories about Wakefield people and their lives, including the bizarre Charles Waterton collection.

Pontefract Museum:
Monday to Friday 10.00am – 4.30pm
Saturday 10.30am – 4.30pm

Visit Pontefract Museum and discover the long history of sweet making in the town, with its roots in liquorice! The museum also tells the story of Pontefract and the people who have lived, worked and played there.