Free days out this weekend only (Museums across the country)

Zanderman

purplelila-2007 wrote: »

I thought museums were free entry??

jumblejack wrote: »

Not all, no. Blists Hill museum, Black Country Living Museum, Gladstone Pottery Museum, just to name a few of my faves, all have to charge admission in order to keep open.
So for those of the public who wouldn't normally be able to afford the admission, offers like this are a godsend.

Don't know where purplelila gets the idea museums are free - most of them always have and always will charge. The only place where there is a strong tradition of most of them being free is in London, which is good, but not practical for those of us (most of us!) who don't live there.

But the main point of Heritage Open Days is that it's not just about free museums - it's about access to all sorts of places you can't normally visit - museums are just a part of it (and in some places a very small part of it - indeed many museums don't take part).

So it might be worth retitling the thread (edit, then advanced edit). It's not just this weekend either - the fun starts on Thursday in many areas. And, just realised following taramac's post below, that it's England only, not across the country (unless you mean England!)

Here's the description of what it's about from the website (http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/):

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture.

taramac_2

Is there anything available in Northern Ireland-cant find info on that link?

Zanderman

taramac wrote: »

Is there anything available in Northern Ireland-cant find info on that link?

I think the HoD scheme is England only - but there might be some other similar scheme in NI.

MRGANNET

Similar scheme for those of us in Scotland
http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/default.aspx

jumblejack

MRGANNET wrote: »

Similar scheme for those of us in Scotland
http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/default.aspx

Thanks a bundle. No doubt this will benefit even more folk! :beer:

CreatingWealthSuccess4All

taramac wrote: »

Is there anything available in Northern Ireland-cant find info on that link?

For Nth Ire visit: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/events/events-ehod.htm

Not sure it is listed as free, but I can personally recommend the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, we spent 2 days there last month with our 2 kids and we all loved it.

For Wales: http://www.civictrustwales.org/ehd/index.htm

purplelila-2007

Zanderman wrote: »

Don't know where purplelila gets the idea museums are free - most of them always have and always will charge. The only place where there is a strong tradition of most of them being free is in London, which is good, but not practical for those of us (most of us!) who don't live there.

But the main point of Heritage Open Days is that it's not just about free museums - it's about access to all sorts of places you can't normally visit - museums are just a part of it (and in some places a very small part of it - indeed many museums don't take part).

So it might be worth retitling the thread (edit, then advanced edit). It's not just this weekend either - the fun starts on Thursday in many areas. And, just realised following taramac's post below, that it's England only, not across the country (unless you mean England!)

Here's the description of what it's about from the website (http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/):

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture.

Hmmm I thought free museum entry was something brought in by the previous Labour government , and everytime Ive visited one Ive never had to pay . Although they did have voluntary donations pots.

Guess I was wrong then

happy2bhere

Grrr...not in wales!

jumblejack

purplelila-2007 wrote: »

Hmmm I thought free museum entry was something brought in by the previous Labour government , and everytime Ive visited one Ive never had to pay . Although they did have voluntary donations pots.

Guess I was wrong then

They ought to be!!!!
Museums attract visitors into the area so ought to be supported by the authorities really.
The museums I mentioned before though that I adore are certainly worth the admission as we always have a fab time.

Zanderman

purplelila-2007 wrote: »

Hmmm I thought free museum entry was something brought in by the previous Labour government , and everytime Ive visited one Ive never had to pay . Although they did have voluntary donations pots.

Guess I was wrong then

Well, yes, the government did, as far as I can recall, stipulate that some (the BM and the NHM for example) should be free - probably conditional on their getting their main grant.

But the government isn't in charge of most of museums, unless they're national ones (hence the London point I made earlier) that are largely state-funded (effectively as part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport). There are a few 'non-national' museums that get state funding - but those are currently being 'encouraged' to find new sponsors (see link here)

Most other museums (virtually all outside London) are run by local authorities, charitable trusts, private collectors, volunteers, etc - most have nothing to do with government - and need to charge to pay their bills - grants (if they get them) don't usually cover running costs.

Actually, increasingly many don't make ends meet - times are pretty hard for museums just now - and so many are either failing or close to failing. The current - and planned - local authority funding cuts means that those largely funded by County or District Councils are facing unprecedented problems - and competing even more with the others for funds - and visitors.

Use 'em or lose 'em might be the battle-cry in the not too distant future...