The number of visits to DCMS sponsored museums and galleries is now available via this web page, on a monthly basis from the 2004/05 financial year onwards.
The visit figures will be updated during the first week of each month, and will be one month in arrears to allow time for the museums and galleries to collect the data.
The visit figure total refers to all visits to the museums and galleries, excluding corporate events. Data collection methods vary between institutions, and each uses a method appropriate to its situation. All data is collected according to the guidelines issued in 2000.
All museums and galleries are subject to seasonal fluctuations in the numbers of visits they receive. The general trend is for the visit numbers to be higher during school and half term holidays.
Some temporary exhibitions attract large numbers of visits and this will also have an impact on the monthly figures. There may also be occasions when all or part of a museum or gallery is closed for refurbishment, affecting the monthly total.
Where a museum or gallery comprises of more than one branch, the overall total for the museum is recorded first, followed by the breakdown for each branch. For example, the total monthly visit figures for the Victoria and Albert Museum are followed by the monthly totals for each of the three branch museums: the main South Kensington site, the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green and the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden.
Please note that the visit numbers for the National Museum of Science and Industry for November and December 2004 have been affected by technical difficulties at Shildon. Visit numbers recorded for Shildon during 24-28 November were irreversibly transferred to December's statistics.
Figures may be subject to revision. Any amendments will be published on this website at each earliest opportunity.
To view the museum and gallery monthly visit figure totals for 2004/05 please follow the link below:
