More than half the population of England visit museums at least once a year, a survey has revealed.
The Active People Survey of leisure habits, which was partly funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), found that 53.8 per cent of those interviewed had visited a museum at least once in the 12 months to mid-October 2008, while 48 per cent had gone to a library.
The poll by Ipsos Mori, using a sample size of at least 500 per authority, gives for the first time a breakdown of participation by area.
Oxfordshire was the county with the highest proportion of museum goers, with 62.7 per cent saying they had visited a museum in the previous 12 months. Lincolnshire had the lowest, at 49.5 per cent.
Kensington and Chelsea was the top-scoring London borough with 77.8 per cent, while Barking and Dagenham came last with 36.6 per cent.
In unitary authority areas, The Wirral rated highest, at 65.6 per cent, and Torbay lowest, at 37.3 per cent.
Blackpool, the site of the Victoria and Albert Museum's proposed satellite museum, was next lowest with 37.7 per cent. Only visits for leisure purposes were correlated. Online access and outreach services were not counted.
MLA chief executive Roy Clare said the findings were "a confirmation of what we already knew about the popularity of museums". He added: "Museums, like libraries and archives, are delivering a wealth of opportunity for people in all areas of the country, playing
a key role in the long-term skilling, learning and well-being of the country.
"The area by area breakdown is vital, as it helps us work better with local government to improve services and standards."
The Active People Survey of leisure habits, which was partly funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), found that 53.8 per cent of those interviewed had visited a museum at least once in the 12 months to mid-October 2008, while 48 per cent had gone to a library.
The poll by Ipsos Mori, using a sample size of at least 500 per authority, gives for the first time a breakdown of participation by area.
Oxfordshire was the county with the highest proportion of museum goers, with 62.7 per cent saying they had visited a museum in the previous 12 months. Lincolnshire had the lowest, at 49.5 per cent.
Kensington and Chelsea was the top-scoring London borough with 77.8 per cent, while Barking and Dagenham came last with 36.6 per cent.
In unitary authority areas, The Wirral rated highest, at 65.6 per cent, and Torbay lowest, at 37.3 per cent.
Blackpool, the site of the Victoria and Albert Museum's proposed satellite museum, was next lowest with 37.7 per cent. Only visits for leisure purposes were correlated. Online access and outreach services were not counted.
MLA chief executive Roy Clare said the findings were "a confirmation of what we already knew about the popularity of museums". He added: "Museums, like libraries and archives, are delivering a wealth of opportunity for people in all areas of the country, playing
a key role in the long-term skilling, learning and well-being of the country.
"The area by area breakdown is vital, as it helps us work better with local government to improve services and standards."
Museums attendance: unitary authorities with highest and lowest per cent of residents visiting
Top 10
1. The Wirral 65.6%
2. York 65.6%
3. Liverpool 63.2%
4. Stockport 62.3%
5. Brighton & Hove 61.7%
6. Sefton 60.2%
7. Trafford 57.8%
8. Bury 57.6%
9. Brsitol 57.4%
10. Rutland 56.8%
Bottom 10
73. Plymouth 42.6%
74. Wigan 42.2%
75. Slough 41.2%
76= Barnsley 40.7%
76= Doncaster
76= Leicester
79. Sandwell 39.9%
80. NE Lincolnshire 39.8%
81. Blackpool 37.7%
82. Torbay 37.3%
Top 10
1. The Wirral 65.6%
2. York 65.6%
3. Liverpool 63.2%
4. Stockport 62.3%
5. Brighton & Hove 61.7%
6. Sefton 60.2%
7. Trafford 57.8%
8. Bury 57.6%
9. Brsitol 57.4%
10. Rutland 56.8%
Bottom 10
73. Plymouth 42.6%
74. Wigan 42.2%
75. Slough 41.2%
76= Barnsley 40.7%
76= Doncaster
76= Leicester
79. Sandwell 39.9%
80. NE Lincolnshire 39.8%
81. Blackpool 37.7%
82. Torbay 37.3%
