You are here: Home > Media > Press Releases > City Museum bucks the national tourism trend for visitor figures

City Museum bucks the national tourism trend for visitor figures

Winchester's City Museum is celebrating the news that its visitor numbers are bucking the Hampshire trend, according to the latest visitor numbers released by Tourism South East (TSE).

According to TSE's Tourism Trends study for the period January to September 2007, attractions in Hampshire saw an average downturn in the number of visitors of some 8%. In the same period, meanwhile, City Museum recorded an increase in visitors of 12%.

Sher Kent, Museum Services Manager for Winchester City Counci's museums service, said,

"We have been delighted with these figures. They show that museums can offer a relevant, educational and fun environment that is an important tourist attraction within a history destination like 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 the public about our services. If you would like to have your say, please come in and see us."

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 features more recent history, too, with reconstructed 19th and 20th century shops. The museum hosts a wide range of family fun 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 has built a really strong family offer in recent years. I am particularly impressed with the development of new audiences like the popular pre-school session called Toga Tots. This free event is held monthly in the Roman gallery of the museum."

For more information contact : www.winchester.gov.uk/heritage
Or email : museums@winchester.gov.uk