There are a number of national museums in the United Kingdom, which are owned and operated by the state. The national museums of the UK are funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) of the British government, and are all located in England. There are 14 national museums, all established by Acts of Parliament, as well as another eight which are sponsored by the DCMS.[1]
In addition, there are national museums in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are supported by the devolved legislatures. National museums in Scotland are funded by the Scottish Executive Education Department,[2] in Wales by the Welsh Government,[3] and in Northern Ireland by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of the Northern Ireland Executive.[4]
Free entrance is standard practice in all UK national museums, although some exhibits do require an admission fee to view. Several of the museums have more than one location throughout the UK.