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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Caroline Davies

England’s national museums to remain free to overseas visitors

Hintze Hall in the Natural History Museum in London with crowds of visitors
Hintze Hall in the Natural History Museum in London, which drew 7.1 million visitors in 2025. Photograph: E Westmacott/Alamy

Overseas visitors will continue to enjoy free entry to England’s national museums after ministers decided against charging them after months of discussions between the government, museums, the tourism sector and local leaders.

Ministers said in March that “charging international visitors at national museums could provide significant benefits” as they promised to explore options including examining whether making overseas tourists pay could boost the institutions’ finances.

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