The shortlist for the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022 has been announced by its organiser Kids in Museums, a charity dedicated to making museums open and welcoming to children, young people and families.

UK museums, galleries, historic homes and heritage sites are eligible for the awards, which recognises efforts to welcome children, young peoples, and families.

Throughout April and May, hundreds of families across the country voted for their favourite heritage attraction, and a panel of museum experts, children and young people then whittled down the nominations to the shortlist announced today.

The Best Family Engagement Team category will be judged entirely by an expert panel.

Over the summer holidays, undercover family judges are to visit the other shortlisted museums and judge them on how well they meet the Kids in Museums Manifesto, a set of guidelines for making museums easy to reach for all ages.

Kids in Museums said what set the venues on this year’s shortlist apart was that they “not only created an excellent visitor experience for families, but also showed a great commitment behind the scenes to respond to family feedback and improve access, especially for those who are not regular visitors.”

Philip Mould, President of Kids in Museums, added: “We all know our wonderful museums here in the UK provide memorable and immersive learning experiences and time for connection with family members.

“More than just dynamic learning, this shortlist demonstrates the unbridled delight and joy that our museums can unlock in children and families. They can be the foundations for families to connect to the world around them.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in October.

The shortlist for the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022 is:

Best Large Museum

  • National Maritime Museum, London
  • Riverside Museum, Glasgow

Best Medium Museum

  • Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Museum of London Docklands
  • Museum of Making, Derby
  • The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Best Small Museum

  • The Egypt Centre, Swansea
  • Ely Museum
  • London Museum of Water and Steam
  • National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield
  • The Story Museum, Oxford

Best Accessible Museum

  • Colchester Castle
  • Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre
  • National Maritime Museum, London

Best Family Engagement Team

  • Culture Coventry
  • PK Porthcurno
  • University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge

Mould added: “We also want to offer a platform to the museums who are working so hard to make their buildings truly accessible and feel inclusive to everyone. These museums are always here for us to help entertain and inspire children and families. With the long summer holidays just around the corner, our museum sector could really be a priceless asset for parents right around the country.”

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