Free Museums and Galleries deals page discussion / Report top spots

martinajane12

Haven't been here in about 10 years, but please add Weybridge Museum, Surrey, into your free museums list.
Its a small (and in need of more publicity) museum and more attention paid to it might bring more awareness to the fact that its free and there! located on high street next to library.

marvin

It is free and one of the best collections around as it is out of the city centre on the campus of Birmingham Uni it often gets missed.

Can I also suggest a list of museums and galleries that are open beyond 6pm for those who want culture other than 10 - 6 daytime hours only

Connie

The opening post of this thread says:

"Regularly Updated:
Free Museums & Galleries page
If you've spotted or heard of a free museum or art gallery please tell us with as much detail as possible, including where it is and its full name. We'll then check out whether it's free for all and, if it is, add it onto the page."

How long does it take for anything to be added to the list?
There are suggestions on here from as long ago as 2010, as well as more recent ones, which have still not been added - eg - Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh - and many others.

sillyvixen

The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham (formally Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum) reopened in September after a very long redevelopment. it is still free and currently hosting Rodin's "The Kiss" . worth a visit if you are in the area.

seroxat_chick

The Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh, Northumberland is free too.

bee.swarm

Hi,
Please can you have a look at The Electric Railway Museum to add to your web site.
They are a free parking and admission museum, They have free quizzes for the kids and a ride on the miniature railway that they just ask a small donation to help with running costs.
They are not open every day but do open on the second weekend every month, when in addition to the museum they have special events as follows.

details of these are:

Spring Gala Weekend - 71/4" Miniature Railway Special opening - May 10th/11th – also first opening to the public of the British Rail “Networker” test unit class 457

Local clubs and groups promotional day - June 14th –
An open invitation to local groups to come and visit the museum, - Groups can also if they wish have an area to promote themselves.

Arts and Crafts - July 12th / 13th – with a Special exhibition of Patchwork & Embroidery created by members of 'In-Stitches' group.

Vintage/Nostalgia day - August 9th – A day of reminiscing with special entertainment and displays of vintage telephone.

Heritage Open Weekend - September 13th/14th – Displays from local History groups, vintage theme and (if possible) the first opening for the public to access the Little Bowden Junction, Midland Railway Signal Box.

Transport Enthusiasts Day - October 11th – A collection of vintage vehicles on display.

The award-winning railway museum is for visitors of all ages to explore the largest collection of Electric railway heritage in the UK.

VENUE Electric Railway Museum, Rowley Road, Baginton, Warwickshire, CV3 4FR

Admission and parking is FREE

Sorry as a new member I'm not able to post links to the museum but if you search or type the w's electricrailwaymuseum .co. uk I'm sure you will find their web page

Frustrated82

I'm not sure if these have been posted about or not, as there are quite a few posts on here to scan now and I have to confess to being a touch short on time! However, the Higgins and the John Bunyan museums are both free entry. The Higgins has several interactive things for children, and both do some holiday activities if you look out for them (though these do have small charges).

EDIT: I did try to add links, but can't as a new user. The names are The Higgins Bedford and Bunyan Meeting. Sorry!

Thanks for the others, I'll have to take a look at them. Would it possible to have a postcode search added though? My geography is pretty poor so guessing the region is difficult for me (though part of that is because different websites list Bedford in different areas- some state it as more Midlands).

tgroom57

1. This list would be so much better as a Google map - you can create your own map with points of interest, the markers have links to further details.

2. Erratum - National Roman Legion Museum is in Caerleon, the closest town is Newport in wales. If you are using public transport this makes a huge difference.

3. Newport Museum - one floor of the library in central Newport is given over to the Museum, with an upstairs gallery for rocks. All free. On the 1st floor are bits of Roman Villas, ships, scenes from stone age, fossils, and room sets from Victorian times.

JOE_MOORE

One free Museum that seems to have been missed from the East of England listing is MILDENHALL & DISTRICT MUSEUM, in King Street, MILDENHALL, Suffolk. A fascinating small town museum, which covers history of the local area, but has replicas of the famous Mildenhall Treasure and an Anglo Saxon Warrior and his horse- an exhibit of international importance. There is a website for the Museum. Entry is free, although donations are welcome to assist with the upkeep.

grandma_elly

Gold Hill Museum, a superb museum of local history at the top of the iconic "Hovis Hill" in Shaftesbury, Dorset (yes, that's Dorset, not Yorkshire), has free entry. A quiz for children, plenty of hands-on stuff for all, delightful garden with amazing view, completely volunteer-run and well worth a visit.