St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff and Durham Cathedral have topped the lists of the UK’s best free days out in the UK, according to research by Which?.
The consumer champion asked people to rate their experiences at more than one hundred museums, galleries and historic attractions.
In the museums and galleries category, more than 4,000 people ranked each location on its engagement and entertainment factor, the quality of the information provided, queueing times and the level of crowds, the range and quality of facilities and value for money.
St Fagans National Museum of History, attracted a score of 94 per cent.
The open-air museum has more than forty reconstructed buildings from different historical periods including a school, and a chapel for visitors to explore.
Janice Lane, director of visitor experience for Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales told i: “We are delighted that St Fagans National Museum of History is the top-rated free attraction in the UK once again and want to say thank you very much to all those who voted to help get this award.
“This award is testament to the quality and warmth of the welcome we offer to all our diverse audiences. As an open-air museum, St Fagans offers a unique range of visitor experiences, including our wonderful engaging galleries, historic houses, historic gardens and facilities, and it means a great deal for our staff to have their hard work recognised.
“St Fagans is a special experience for visitors, and we’re pleased that so many people enjoy discovering the story of Wales with us.”
Meanwhile, in the historic attraction category, nearly 3,000 people were asked to rate their favourites according to nine criteria including accessibility, the quality of food and drink available and the lack of crowds.
Durham Cathedral, built in the 11th and early 12th century and once described as “the best cathedral on planet earth” by writer Bill Bryson, scored 86 per cent.
Andrew Usher, chief officer: visitor experience and enterprise at Durham Cathedral:
“We’re delighted that the public has voted Durham Cathedral as the best free historic attraction in the UK.
“As a large cathedral and part of a Unesco World Heritage Site, we’re proud to be able open the cathedral for free to all who wish to visit the cathedral – people from the North East, nationally and from overseas – and we aim to provide the best welcome and visitor experience to everyone.
“While we don’t charge for entry, we’re extremely grateful for the generous donations our visitors provide. Their support enables us to remain free entry for all, carry out our core mission and undertake vital conservation to care for this magnificent building and grounds. “
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “As the cost of living crisis continues to be a strain on household budgets, finding cheap or free days out has never been more important. Fortunately the UK has a number of fantastic museums, galleries and other attractions which offer free entry and hours of fun.
“From the world’s largest railway museum, to the Houses of Parliament, Which?’s rankings of the UK’s best free days out has plenty to inspire you as the summer holidays approach.”
Some of the eligible big-name museums and galleries in London scored lower in the survey on the likes of crowds, the range and quality of facilities and the information provided.
Here are the lists of the top rated museum, galleries and historic attractions:
FREE MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff, scored 94 per cent
This open-air museum has more than 40 buildings reconstructed including houses, a school, a chapel and a Workmen’s Institute.
National Railway Museum, York, scored 91 per cent
The largest of its kind in the world, featuring a collection of more than a hundred locomotives. These include the fastest-ever steam engine, the Mallard, a working replica of George Stephenson’s Rocket, and the only Shinkansen bullet train on display outside of Japan.
Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum, Cosford, Shropshire, scored 91 per cent
It boasts a renowned collection of military aircraft, including the world’s oldest spitfire, as well as Britain’s V Bombers from the Cold War era including the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant. Also on display is a Dornier Do 17, a German bomber recovered from the bottom of the English Channel a decade ago.
National Museum of Scotland, scored 90 per cent
The Declaration of Arbroath, one of the most important documents in Scottish history, will be on display from 3 June – 2 July 2023.
Cardiff National Museum, scored 87 per cent
Among its highlights is one of Europe’s finest art collections, with five hundred years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from Wales and across the world. It houses one Europe’s best collections of Impressionist art.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, scored 87 per cent
It features 22 themed galleries displaying 8,000 objects.
The collections include natural history, arms and armour, art from many movements and periods of history and much more. The most famous painting on display is the Salvador Dali masterpiece ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’.
Royal Air Force Museum, London, scored 87 per cent
You have the chance to sit in a Spitfire and fly in a Typhoon in their state-of-the-art simulator. There are six hangars full of exhibits.
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, scored 87 per cent
It houses one of the largest art collections in England outside London. The collection includes European Renaissance paintings, masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Turner and Stubbs, Pre-Raphaelite artworks by Rossetti and Millais, and Impressionist works by Monet, among others.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, scored 86 per cent
As the museum says: “Highlights in the collections include the world’s first scientifically described dinosaur – Megalosaurus bucklandii – and the world-famous Oxford Dodo, the only soft tissue remains of the extinct dodo.”
Scottish National Galleries, scored 86 per cent
Highlights include works by Leonardo da Vinci, Turner and Damien Hirst.
VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
Durham Cathedral, scored 86 per cent
It has inspired visitors since the medieval period, and was once described by Bill Bryson as “the best cathedral on planet earth”. Visitors called it “one of the most impressive buildings in the world’ with another stating: “Visiting the crypt is a must.”
St David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, scored 80 per cent
Set on a Pembrokeshire peninsula on the site of an earlier sixth-century monastery built by St David, the patron saint of Wales. St David’s Cathedral has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for more than 800 years.
Chichester Cathedral, west Sussex, scored 77 per cent
Chichester Cathedral was founded as a cathedral in 1075 and boasts architecture in both the Norman and the Gothic styles. Architectural critic Ian Nairn described it as “the most typical English Cathedral”.
Houses of Parliament, London, scored 76 per cent
The history of the Houses of Parliament spans over 900 years from the Anglo-Saxons to the present. Some comments on this attraction included: “In awe, highly recommended place to visit”.
Another said: “To see the location where the country’s laws are debated is a unique experience and worth the time”
Bury St Edmunds Abbey, Suffolk, scored 73 per cent
Once one of the richest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England, its remains include the complete 14th-century Great Gate and Norman Tower, as well as the ruins and altered west front of the church.
Somerset House, London, scored 71 per cent
This large Neoclassical complex is situated on the south side of the Strand in central London and overlooks the River Thames.
Bristol Cathedral, scored 68 per cent
It is one of England’s great medieval churches. Highlights include the Chapter House, one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in the world. It was completed AD1160.
