Culture News
England may charge foreign tourists at national museums: £15–20 floated, ID checks needed
The UK government said on Thursday, March 26, that charging international visitors at national museums in England could “provide significant benefits” and that it will work with the sector to explore options, The Art Newspaper reports. The idea comes from Labour peer Margaret Hodge's review of Arts Council England, published in December 2025; the government said it accepted all of its recommendations. Any charge would need digital ID checks at entrances.
The Irish Times reports that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy set out the plans, which could affect museums such as the British Museum and the National Gallery. No price has been set, but one person close to the talks suggested £15 to £20 could become the norm, against $30 at the Met in New York, up to €32 at the Louvre and €15 at the Prado. Children and UK residents could be exempt, and an update on a “two-tier” model is due before Christmas. Overseas visitors made up 43% of visits to major British museums and galleries in 2023/24, about 17 million trips.
Digital ID cards would be a “crucial precondition”. — Tristram Hunt, V&A director, via The Irish Times
The Art Newspaper gathered critics: Alison Cole of the Cultural Policy Unit called the charge a “very bad idea”, and outgoing Tate director Maria Balshaw said she does not like it. It cited Art Fund research finding 72% public support for a tourist levy on overnight stays to fund free entry, an option Hunt also prefers.
How each outlet framed it
- The Art Newspaper — the policy document and objections from the sector.
- The Irish Times — possible prices, foreign comparisons and visitor numbers.
- The Star (AFP) — the final decision six months later.
What happened next: At the end of September the government dropped the idea and kept national museums free for overseas visitors, AFP reported via Malaysia's The Star, saying the “impacts and benefits of charging would not be felt equally across the sector”.