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10 Cities, 10 Free Museums to Visit during Half Term - Mega Thread
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Update 1
Updated for Half Term
If your Looking for activities this Half Term and you're on a budget why not Visit one of the UK's many museums There are loads Here's 10 to have a look at. Let us know what your local museums have on
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
There are plenty of exhibits designed especially for children at this museum, a great place to learn about the natural and human world. Some of the most remarkable objects on display include a gigantic skull (from a whale named Moby), and that timeless museum classic: a life-sized cast of a T rex skeleton that's a whopping 12m long.
Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789, nms.ac.uk. Open daily 10am-5pm, admission free
National history museum London
Love this museum
Examples
1, Blaenavon, near Abergavenny
Big Pit: National Coal Museum
Big Pit is one of Wales’s leading tourist attractions. It is one of the few mining museums where visitors can descend in the pit cage and visit the places where generations of coal miners worked. Many of the surface exhibitions and displays are housed in the original colliery buildings.
2, Bradford
Bolling Hall
Situated just a mile from Bradford city centre and situated in a quiet, leafy garden, Bolling Hall was for many years the seat of two important land-owning families, the Bollings and the Tempests.
Rooms are furnished and decorated to give an accurate taste of life at different periods of the house’s history, and the fascinating furniture on display includes a superb bed made for Harewood House by Thomas Chippendale.
Spend some time exploring a different side of Bradford’s heritage – but watch out for an appearance by the ‘White Lady’ in the Ghost Room!
3, Bovey Tracey, Devon
House of Marbles
Like you’ve never seen before! You can set our unique and interactive marble runs going yourself at any time. Four great designs can be found in our marble museum but the one you will really want to see is our giant sized ‘Snooki 2000’ – possibly the largest permanent marble run structure in the UK, or even the world! It is located in our upstairs shop (but can be viewed from the downstairs shop if needed).
4, Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
If you only have one day in Glasgow, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a must see!
Free entry. No need to book, just drop in.
Regular opening hours:
Monday - Thursday and Saturday: 10am-5pm
Friday and Sunday: 11am-5pm
The museum has three shops, a restaurant and Centre Hall coffee kiosk.
Planning your visit
5, Leicester
The Guildhall
A much-loved timber-framed landmark, Leicester Guildhall started life in 1390 when its Great Hall was built as a meeting place and banquet hall for the Guild of Corpus Christi. Over the next 600 years, it was extended and, amongst various uses, found a niche as the perfect host for performances and celebrations that provide a snapshot of English history.
When Elizabeth I’s navy defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, the Guildhall was the venue of choice for the city’s celebrations. More than 50 years later, when England was in the grip of Civil War, Royalist troops attacked Leicester and looted the Guildhall. After their defeat at the Battle of Naseby weeks later, it was fitting that the thanksgiving dinner to mark Cromwell’s victory was held here.
6, Liverpool
Maritime Museum
Discover Liverpool's seafaring past and find out about life at sea. Open Tuesday to Sunday & Bank Holidays Admission to the Maritime Museum is free, donations are welcome.
10am - 4pm
7, London
Tate Britain
OPENING TIMES
Monday to Sunday 10.00–18.00
Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Explore art made in Britain. Entry to the gallery is free – there’s no need to book. Booking a ticket is recommended for exhibitions but some tickets may be available at the door. Members enjoy unlimited free entry to exhibitions with no need to book.
Our collection displays show art made in Britain, arranged by date. Each artwork tells a story – a glimpse of a moment in history, the life of the artist or subject, or how and why the work is made.
Over the course of this year, we’re updating the Tate Britain collection displays. Different galleries will be closed at different times while this takes place and the J. W. M. Turner galleries will be closed from 28 November until March 2023.
8, Manchester
The Science and Industry Museum’s collection spans 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world.
Explore Manchester’s rich legacy of scientific discoveries in the Revolution Manchester gallery, find out how the city’s heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery and see science brought to life in Experiment, a family friendly interactive gallery.
Unravel science secrets with expert Explainers at Curiosity Stops around the museum and step out into the cobbled Upper Yard to enjoy the beautiful Planting Stories garden which reveals stories of the museum’s historic site.
9, Newcastle
The Great North Museum
The Living Planet gallery spans the ground and first floor of the museum and tells the story of wildlife and habitats. Also on the ground floor, the Hadrian’s Wall gallery enables visitors to discover the detailed history of the World Heritage Site as well as finding out about all the forts, milecastles and associated museums that can be visited today. The gallery includes a wealth of archaeological finds from across the 73 mile stretch of Hadrian’s Wall.
The Mouse House, near the entrance of the Museum, is especially for Under 5s and there are regular activities for younger visitors in this space.
Also on the ground floor is Fossil Stories, which uses fossils show major changes to the landscape and the animals and plants that were around millions of years ago. It also features a T. rex replica skeleton.
On the first floor of the Museum visitors can discover the world of the Ancient Egyptians - including two mummies - and marvel at important collections of Greek and Etruscan art and archaeology. Natural Northumbria uncovers what is special about the North East of England’s animals and plants exploring woodlands, uplands, lowlands, and coastal areas.
World Cultures showcases objects in the Museum collections from across the world including the Islands of the Pacific, the great land masses of Africa and Asia, the plains of North America, as well some parts of Europe (including Newcastle, of course).
The collections in the museum belong to the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne and the Shefton collection of Greek and Etruscan objects was bequeathed by the late Professor Brian Shefton.
10, Portsmouth
There are some great free attractions at Fort Nelson. Look out for free falconry flying displays Plus, there's the wonderful, massive Victorian fort to explore. A brilliant day out for the whole family. (And
Where: Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road,
Portsmouth PO17 6AN
Great North Museum: Hancock
I'm sure you all know loads of free museums to visit drop them in the comments so we can all have a free day out This Half Term - many thanks all.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
There are plenty of exhibits designed especially for children at this museum, a great place to learn about the natural and human world. Some of the most remarkable objects on display include a gigantic skull (from a whale named Moby), and that timeless museum classic: a life-sized cast of a T rex skeleton that's a whopping 12m long.
Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789, nms.ac.uk. Open daily 10am-5pm, admission free
National history museum London
Love this museum
Examples
1, Blaenavon, near Abergavenny
Big Pit: National Coal Museum
Big Pit is one of Wales’s leading tourist attractions. It is one of the few mining museums where visitors can descend in the pit cage and visit the places where generations of coal miners worked. Many of the surface exhibitions and displays are housed in the original colliery buildings.
2, Bradford
Bolling Hall
Situated just a mile from Bradford city centre and situated in a quiet, leafy garden, Bolling Hall was for many years the seat of two important land-owning families, the Bollings and the Tempests.
Rooms are furnished and decorated to give an accurate taste of life at different periods of the house’s history, and the fascinating furniture on display includes a superb bed made for Harewood House by Thomas Chippendale.
Spend some time exploring a different side of Bradford’s heritage – but watch out for an appearance by the ‘White Lady’ in the Ghost Room!
3, Bovey Tracey, Devon
House of Marbles
Like you’ve never seen before! You can set our unique and interactive marble runs going yourself at any time. Four great designs can be found in our marble museum but the one you will really want to see is our giant sized ‘Snooki 2000’ – possibly the largest permanent marble run structure in the UK, or even the world! It is located in our upstairs shop (but can be viewed from the downstairs shop if needed).
4, Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
If you only have one day in Glasgow, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a must see!
Free entry. No need to book, just drop in.
Regular opening hours:
Monday - Thursday and Saturday: 10am-5pm
Friday and Sunday: 11am-5pm
The museum has three shops, a restaurant and Centre Hall coffee kiosk.
Planning your visit
- To discover our galleries and facilities, check out the Kelvingrove Floor Plan
- Download the guide to Kelvingrove's galleries, available in multiple languages
5, Leicester
The Guildhall
A much-loved timber-framed landmark, Leicester Guildhall started life in 1390 when its Great Hall was built as a meeting place and banquet hall for the Guild of Corpus Christi. Over the next 600 years, it was extended and, amongst various uses, found a niche as the perfect host for performances and celebrations that provide a snapshot of English history.
When Elizabeth I’s navy defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, the Guildhall was the venue of choice for the city’s celebrations. More than 50 years later, when England was in the grip of Civil War, Royalist troops attacked Leicester and looted the Guildhall. After their defeat at the Battle of Naseby weeks later, it was fitting that the thanksgiving dinner to mark Cromwell’s victory was held here.
6, Liverpool
Maritime Museum
Discover Liverpool's seafaring past and find out about life at sea. Open Tuesday to Sunday & Bank Holidays Admission to the Maritime Museum is free, donations are welcome.
10am - 4pm
7, London
Tate Britain
OPENING TIMES
Monday to Sunday 10.00–18.00
Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Explore art made in Britain. Entry to the gallery is free – there’s no need to book. Booking a ticket is recommended for exhibitions but some tickets may be available at the door. Members enjoy unlimited free entry to exhibitions with no need to book.
Our collection displays show art made in Britain, arranged by date. Each artwork tells a story – a glimpse of a moment in history, the life of the artist or subject, or how and why the work is made.
Over the course of this year, we’re updating the Tate Britain collection displays. Different galleries will be closed at different times while this takes place and the J. W. M. Turner galleries will be closed from 28 November until March 2023.
8, Manchester
The Science and Industry Museum’s collection spans 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world.
Explore Manchester’s rich legacy of scientific discoveries in the Revolution Manchester gallery, find out how the city’s heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery and see science brought to life in Experiment, a family friendly interactive gallery.
Unravel science secrets with expert Explainers at Curiosity Stops around the museum and step out into the cobbled Upper Yard to enjoy the beautiful Planting Stories garden which reveals stories of the museum’s historic site.
9, Newcastle
The Great North Museum
The Living Planet gallery spans the ground and first floor of the museum and tells the story of wildlife and habitats. Also on the ground floor, the Hadrian’s Wall gallery enables visitors to discover the detailed history of the World Heritage Site as well as finding out about all the forts, milecastles and associated museums that can be visited today. The gallery includes a wealth of archaeological finds from across the 73 mile stretch of Hadrian’s Wall.
The Mouse House, near the entrance of the Museum, is especially for Under 5s and there are regular activities for younger visitors in this space.
Also on the ground floor is Fossil Stories, which uses fossils show major changes to the landscape and the animals and plants that were around millions of years ago. It also features a T. rex replica skeleton.
On the first floor of the Museum visitors can discover the world of the Ancient Egyptians - including two mummies - and marvel at important collections of Greek and Etruscan art and archaeology. Natural Northumbria uncovers what is special about the North East of England’s animals and plants exploring woodlands, uplands, lowlands, and coastal areas.
World Cultures showcases objects in the Museum collections from across the world including the Islands of the Pacific, the great land masses of Africa and Asia, the plains of North America, as well some parts of Europe (including Newcastle, of course).
The collections in the museum belong to the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne and the Shefton collection of Greek and Etruscan objects was bequeathed by the late Professor Brian Shefton.
10, Portsmouth
There are some great free attractions at Fort Nelson. Look out for free falconry flying displays Plus, there's the wonderful, massive Victorian fort to explore. A brilliant day out for the whole family. (And
Where: Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road,
Portsmouth PO17 6AN
Great North Museum: Hancock
I'm sure you all know loads of free museums to visit drop them in the comments so we can all have a free day out This Half Term - many thanks all.
More details at Community Updates
Edited by a community support team member, 26 May 2023
95 Comments
sorted byleicestermuseums.org/lei…ry/
In Liverpool, not far from the Maritime Museum is the main "World Museum" liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wor…eum and almost next to that is the Walker Art Gallery (both William Brown Street, near to Lime Street train station). Both are free to enter, but closed on Mondays, I believe.
Other similar nearby venues summarised here liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/visit . (edited)
isn't that right ?
handy for others to know outside of the midterm
All within 2 minutes of eachother:
The World Museum
The Walker Art Gallery (has a great kids art section)
Liverpool Library (has a great kids book section to chill in)
Then near the albert dock you have within 5 minutes of each other:
Tate Art Gallery
Maritime Museum
Liverpool Museum
Even for people who aren't all that into planes, it's a great day out. Really awe-inspiring and no pressure to spend money when you're in there.
royalarmouries.org/ven…um/
ulstermuseum.org/visit
Which is located in Botanic gardens:
visitbelfast.com/par…ns/
Worth a visit is also the Palm House - it underwent a huge £3.8M makeover back in 2018
(They are all on the same grounds & free!) (edited)
Is reopening on the 18th of Feb after a few years closer , multimillion pound refurb.
Chelmsford city - Essex
For an adult visitor alone, it probably isn't too bad, but for a typical (??) family of 4 it can easily make it 'out of reach'
I borrowed it for a visit (me being her brother and technically 'family') but was told the pass only allows the original people who were there when the pass was bought (id required) - and it wasn't transferable.
The woman on the till, said indignantly, "how are we supposed to make a profit, if everyone uses the pass?".
I pointed out that I was an unpaid volunteer for a local museum, that thrives on public donations, which people are happy to give, because of how much pleasure it provides to families.
The opening exhibition, Golden Mummies of Egypt, will offer visitors unparalleled access to the Museum’s world-class Egypt and Sudan collection and aims to challenge Victorian narratives of ‘ancient Egypt’ through new research from the University of Manchester. Featuring more than 100 objects and 8 mummies, the UK debut follows a hugely popular tour across USA and China and will present a rich perspective on beliefs about the afterlife during Egypt’s Graeco-Roman Period (332 BC -395 AD), with highlights including elaborately decorated mummies known as ‘Fayum Portraits’.
South Asia Gallery, a British Museum partnership The South Asia Gallery will explore the connection between South Asia and Britain and the legacy of Empire alongside contemporary South Asian culture and creativity, perspectives that have not been presented before. Divided into six anthologies, the Collective has grappled with a range of subjects through 140 artefacts, including one of the collective’s great-grandfather’s World War I uniform, a rickshaw imported from Bangladesh and decorated by communities in Manchester, a new commissioned mural from British artists, The Singh Twins – an emotional map of South Asian diaspora experience – and a Cartier brooch containing a repurposed carved emerald from the Mughal Empire. At the heart of the gallery is also a dedicated space for performance, film and participatory activities.
Dinosaur Display Palaeontology enthusiasts will learn what it means to think like a palaeontologist at the brand-new Dinosaur display next to the historic Fossils Gallery. Visitors can meet with prehistoric giants Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the museum’s most visited exhibits, and its new addition, April the Tenontosaurus. The museum worked with a team of Earth Science students from the University of Manchester, who’s new research and several years of cataloguing have allowed April’s skeleton, dating back to the Cretaceous period and found in Montana, USA, to stand on all fours again.
To find out more about the project and upcoming exhibitions before the reopening, visit the Manchester Museum website here.
You have the Streetlife Museum, Hull & East Riding museum and Ferens Art Gallery which are all free
Kelvingrove is in West End, People's Palace in East End. The Cathedral near Glasgow Green is definitely worth a walk through as is the nearby Necropolis.
Edinburgh has many museums and art galleries too, not least the National Museum of Scotland. I've not been to the National Portrait Gallery, but it's on the list!
And central Glasgow has GoMA, which isn't too far from the cathedral. Not been in Glasgow for a while as a tourist, so not sure what the current opening of these are though.
Dundee has the McManus and the V&A, but I've not been overly implressed by it tbh.
A thriving metropolis to be sure!
Good stuff though OP.
I’m pretty sure most museums in Wales are free entry. (edited)
It was fantastic and is also free to enter
I've been most of these over the years and they are great.
Definitely you should include st.fagons museum if its not already in the list. Another hidden gem
When: 1-16 Apr 23
Where: Gunnersbury Park Museum, Gunnersbury Park House, Popes Lane, London W5 4NH