Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre has been awarded the Family Friendly Museum Award 2025 in the annual competition run by Kids in Museums.

The organisation, which was previously awarded the accolade in 2022, beat 18 other museums thanks to its varied programme of activities and events, friendly staff and volunteers, and well-equipped facilities. It was also named Best Small Museum by Kids in Museums.

Elsewhere, V&A Dundee won Best Medium Museum and the Burell Collection in Glasgow was judged Best Large Museum.

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax won Best Accessible Museum and the Black Cultural Archives in London won Best Museum Youth Project: Social Justice.

Launched in 2004, the Family Friendly Museum Award recognises museums, galleries, castles, historic homes and heritage sites that are welcoming, fun and accessible to people of all ages. Eighteen museums were nominated for the prize in 2025 following a public vote and shortlisting process by a panel of judges.

Families then pay undercover visits to each shortlisted museum over the summer holidays to decide the winner.

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One family judge said: “From start to finish, [Experience Barnsley] is glorious. We really loved it. Something for everyone, so much to see, do and take part in. A lot of hands-on things to keep my three-year-old excited. Can’t wait to return.”

And one of the families who first nominated the museum for the award said: “There’s no faults with this museum. There’s so much to do. Educational, comfortable and accessible.”

The museum works with regular groups including Action for Autism Barnsley, Age UK and Feels Like Home, an organisation supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

Councillor Robin Franklin, Barnsley council cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “We are delighted to win the Family Friendly Museum Award 2025 and Best Small Museum. Providing families with free cultural and educational experiences is incredibly important, and I’m proud that Experience Barnsley Museum has been nationally recognised for doing this so well.

“If you’ve never visited, I’d encourage you to come to Barnsley town centre and discover a museum with outstanding collections, exciting exhibitions, and lots of free family activities.”

Best Accessible Museum
  • The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury
  • Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax (winner)
  • Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park, Barnsley
Best Small Museum
  • Abbey House Museum, Leeds
  • Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
  • Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre, Barnsley (winner)
  • North Lincolnshire Museum, Scunthorpe
  • Showtown Blackpool
Best Medium Museum
  • The Amelia Scott, Tunbridge Wells
  • Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
  • V&A Dundee (winner)
Best Large Museum
  • The Burrell Collection, Glasgow (winner)
  • Horniman Museum and Gardens, London
  • London Transport Museum, London
Best Museum Youth Project: Social Justice
  • Black Cultural Archives, London (winner)
  • Glasgow Life Museums
  • Wiltshire Museum