Museum report·Liverpool
UK government rules out entry charges for national museums
The UK government has confirmed universal free entry to England's national museums will continue, ruling out admission charges for overseas visitors. The 'free forever' pledge was announced at an Art Fund and Cultural Policy Unit event at Tate Liverpool on 28 September 2026.

Ministers have ruled out introducing entry charges for overseas visitors at England's national museums, committing to keep admission free for everyone. The announcement, made at Tate Liverpool during an event convened by Art Fund with the Cultural Policy Unit, settles recent speculation about charges for international tourists. The decision preserves one of the sector's defining policies, in place since 2001, and was welcomed as a safeguard for access and visitor numbers at the national institutions.


