Another successful year at City Museum
Winchester’s City Museum is celebrating the news that its visitor numbers have bucked the Hampshire trend over the past year.
According to the latest figures released by Tourism South East (TSE), visitor numbers for attractions in Hampshire were down by an average of 8%. However, the same figures revealed that Winchester City Museum recorded a 12% increase in visitors.
Sher Kent, Museum Services Manager for Winchester City Council’s museums service, said, “We are delighted with these figures. They show that museums can offer a relevant, educational and fun environment whilst serving as an important tourist attraction in Winchester. We are always working hard to improve our service and develop it for the future. I would encourage people to keep coming back as there is always something new to see.”
She added, “As part of our audience development work, we are currently consulting with the public about our services. If you would like to have your say, please come in and see us.”
The City Museum is run by Winchester City Council and is situated in a purpose built building in The Square, Winchester. The galleries tell the story of Winchester from its origins as a prehistoric trading centre and Roman regional capital, through to its pre-eminence as a principal city in the Anglo-Norman kingdom and its development and decline in the Middle Ages. It also features more recent history, with reconstructed 19th and 20th century shops.
The museum hosts a wide range of family events and educational visits for schools and groups.
Cllr Patricia Stallard, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Sport, stated, “Well done to the museum staff of Winchester City Council. The museum team have been developing great family offers in recent years and I am particularly impressed with their numerous initiatives such as the popular pre-school session called Toga Tots, a free event held monthly in the Roman gallery of the museum.”