Thursday, October 1, 2026 - National museums in England will remain free to all visitors, including international tourists, after the UK government ruled out plans to introduce admission charges.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed the decision on September 28, saying the country’s 15 national museums should remain accessible to everyone. The decision ends months of uncertainty over whether overseas visitors would have to pay to enter major institutions including the British Museum, National Gallery and Tate.
The government said charging overseas visitors could discourage domestic visitors and that the financial impact would not be shared equally across the museum sector.
National museums are also significant contributors to the economy, attracting millions of visitors each year. In 2025, the Natural History Museum recorded 7.1 million visitors while the British Museum welcomed 6.4 million.
The announcement gives museums a clear commitment as they face ongoing financial and maintenance pressures. The government says its £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund includes substantial support for museums and cultural organisations, alongside funding for local and regional museums.
With free access now confirmed for the future, visitors from Britain and around the world can continue exploring the permanent collections of England’s national museums without paying an entry fee.
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