Top 10 free museums in the UK for families
Published 5th Jul 2017
There is no need to look for expensive activities to keep the family busy this summer. Whether your kids are into cars, football, art or history, the whole family can enjoy a fun-filled, educational day without spending a penny - unless you get persuaded going into the gift shop! Here are our favourite 10 free museums across the UK:
Located in the uniquely modern Urbis Building, The National Football Museum has proven to be very popular. Its vast collection includes memorabilia, player profiles, football kits and photographs narrating the history of the beloved sport. In the ‘Discovery Zone’ children can dress up as footballers themselves.
2. Imperial War Museum, London
Recreation of WWI trenches and the Blitz, there are many tanks, planes and revolving military exhibitions. There is a dedicated family exhibition named ‘A Family in Wartime’. It tells the story of how ordinary people braved the challenges of life’s at home during WWII through the eyes of Allpress family, who lived in Stockwell.
iwm.org.uk
There are plenty of exhibits designed especially for children at the National Museum of Scotland. The museum is a fantastic place to learn about the natural and human world. You will find some exceptional objects on display including a gigantic whale skull and a life-sized cast of a T-Rex skeleton.
nms.ac.uk
This has to be in our top list of free museums, it is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums. It has 100 acres of parkland with 40 original buildings from various historical periods. Along the grounds you can explore a church, a farm, a school, and a women’s institute. This summer you will be able to trail through the museums wonderful beech woodland.
museum.wales
The centre features six hands-on galleries and boasts the UK’s largest planetarium. It also has over 150 interactive displays, including the chance to travel through three floors in a glass lift in 42m high Rocket Tower. This place promises to be an out-of-this world experience.
spacecentre.co.uk
It is Sheffield’s largest museum and there are opportunities for children to immerse themselves in nature and history. You can build an igloo in a section devoted to Sheffield in the ice age, dressing up as a butcher or spying on an ant colony. There is also a magnificent zoological collection!
museums-sheffield.org.uk
London is lucky to have so many amazing free museums; the choice in the great capital is huge. The British Museum features over 2 million years of history. It’s one of the most fascinating museums in the UK. Free family activities happen throughout the year, there are family trails and free activity backpacks.
britishmuseum.org
This has to make our top list of free museums. Coming here you will get to see how Manchester is so deeply connected with science and industry. From the first-steam powered mill and microcomputer to the pioneering work conducted in the universities in Manchester today. This museum is truly for everyone. There are hands-on exhibitions and steam-powered machines in action is an unforgettable experience.
This is one of the most-visited museums in the UK outside of London. With 22 galleries and more than 8,000 objects. One of the most popular exhibits is the beehive, which is designed to allow the bees in and out of the building.
glasgowlife.org.uk
You don’t need to be a car fanatic to get excited about this one. The museum has one of the best collections of bicycles in the country. Many people visit this museum just to see the world’s two fastest cars (the Thrust 2 and ThrustSCC), which are on permanent display.
transport-museum.com
Why don’t you save even more money by travelling with SMC Coach Hire. We can arrange travel for 8 to 72 seats, which includes 16 seater minibuses. If going to the museum is only part of your trip and you need to go other places, we can arrange this for you.
Click here to fill in an online enquiry form with your travel details.
1. National Football Museum, Manchester
Located in the uniquely modern Urbis Building, The National Football Museum has proven to be very popular. Its vast collection includes memorabilia, player profiles, football kits and photographs narrating the history of the beloved sport. In the ‘Discovery Zone’ children can dress up as footballers themselves.
2. Imperial War Museum, London
Recreation of WWI trenches and the Blitz, there are many tanks, planes and revolving military exhibitions. There is a dedicated family exhibition named ‘A Family in Wartime’. It tells the story of how ordinary people braved the challenges of life’s at home during WWII through the eyes of Allpress family, who lived in Stockwell.
iwm.org.uk
3. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
There are plenty of exhibits designed especially for children at the National Museum of Scotland. The museum is a fantastic place to learn about the natural and human world. You will find some exceptional objects on display including a gigantic whale skull and a life-sized cast of a T-Rex skeleton.
nms.ac.uk
4. St Fagan National History Museum, Cardiff
This has to be in our top list of free museums, it is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums. It has 100 acres of parkland with 40 original buildings from various historical periods. Along the grounds you can explore a church, a farm, a school, and a women’s institute. This summer you will be able to trail through the museums wonderful beech woodland.
museum.wales
5. National Space Centre, Leicester
The centre features six hands-on galleries and boasts the UK’s largest planetarium. It also has over 150 interactive displays, including the chance to travel through three floors in a glass lift in 42m high Rocket Tower. This place promises to be an out-of-this world experience.
spacecentre.co.uk
6. Weston Park Museum, Sheffield
It is Sheffield’s largest museum and there are opportunities for children to immerse themselves in nature and history. You can build an igloo in a section devoted to Sheffield in the ice age, dressing up as a butcher or spying on an ant colony. There is also a magnificent zoological collection!
museums-sheffield.org.uk
7. British Museum, London
London is lucky to have so many amazing free museums; the choice in the great capital is huge. The British Museum features over 2 million years of history. It’s one of the most fascinating museums in the UK. Free family activities happen throughout the year, there are family trails and free activity backpacks.
britishmuseum.org
8. Meseum of Science and Industry, Manchester
This has to make our top list of free museums. Coming here you will get to see how Manchester is so deeply connected with science and industry. From the first-steam powered mill and microcomputer to the pioneering work conducted in the universities in Manchester today. This museum is truly for everyone. There are hands-on exhibitions and steam-powered machines in action is an unforgettable experience.
9. Kelvingrove Art Gallery Museum, Glasgow
This is one of the most-visited museums in the UK outside of London. With 22 galleries and more than 8,000 objects. One of the most popular exhibits is the beehive, which is designed to allow the bees in and out of the building.
glasgowlife.org.uk
10. Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry
You don’t need to be a car fanatic to get excited about this one. The museum has one of the best collections of bicycles in the country. Many people visit this museum just to see the world’s two fastest cars (the Thrust 2 and ThrustSCC), which are on permanent display.
transport-museum.com
Why don’t you save even more money by travelling with SMC Coach Hire. We can arrange travel for 8 to 72 seats, which includes 16 seater minibuses. If going to the museum is only part of your trip and you need to go other places, we can arrange this for you.
Click here to fill in an online enquiry form with your travel details.