

25 years of free museums & galleries
1 December 2026 marks a quarter of a century since free admission was introduced at national museums and galleries across the UK. Here’s how the policy works, what it’s achieved, and what could change.

1 December 2026 marks a quarter of a century since free admission was introduced at national museums and galleries across the UK. Here’s how the policy works, what it’s achieved, and what could change.

Since 2010, the share of entries in arts subjects has now shrunk by more than a third at A-level and almost half at GCSE.

For the first time since 2002, the UK Government has launched a review of how National Lottery “Good Cause” funding works – including the 20% share that goes directly to the arts.
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