Bumper year for UK’s major attractions

VISITOR numbers at Britain’s major tourist magnets were up by 6.5 percent year-on-year in 2014, according to statistics published by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.

More than 123 million visitors passed through the doors of top UK museums, galleries, and other attractions last year.

Scottish attractions saw the greatest increase – almost 10 percent – followed by London, with an increase of 7.1 percent.

The British Museum remained the most popular visitor attraction overall for the eighth year running, with 6,695,213 visitors. In second place was the National Gallery in London, which saw a 6.4 percent increase to 6,416,724. Included in the numbers for the first time was London’s Southbank Centre, which had 6,255,799 visitors.

Libraries attracted substantial numbers, with the Library of Birmingham – which opened in 2013 – being the most visited free attraction outside London, in 10th place with 2,414,860. The British Library in London saw visits to its public exhibitions and programme rise by 52 percent.

Museums and galleries throughout the UK saw a 6.09 percent increase, compared to 11.75 percent in London. Blockbuster exhibitions continued to boost visitor numbers. The Tate Modern welcomed a record 5,785,427, undoubtedly thanks to the Matisse exhibition.

The 100th Anniversary of World War 1 had an impact throughout the UK – with many country houses telling the story of their part in the conflict. 

The new First World War Galleries at Imperial War Museum London saw almost one million visitors in just six months. The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at the Tower of London attracted an estimated five million visitors to view the attraction from outside the castle’s walls, and fuelled a six percent increase in its annual visitor figures.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: "Tower of London" by Jonathan Cardy (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons