MLA South East represents the interests of more than 300 museums and galleries across the region, including 266 Registered or newly Accredited museums.
- The South East has more museums than any other English region
- Over 10 million people visit the region's museums and galleries each year. 43.8% of all adults in the South East have visited a museum/gallery (compared to 42% of all adults in England – equating to 16.8 million adults). *
- At least 65% of the region’s schools use South East museums
- There are around 4000 paid staff and over 7,000 volunteers working in museums in the region
- 14 museum collections within the region have been designated as being of pre-eminent importance, containing material of international and national significance
- Approximately 60% of museums in the region operate as independent charities
- The region is especially rich in defence heritage museums and archives including regimental and armed services museums. Nearly one third of the UK’s museums dedicated to the Armed Services are in the South East
- Significant collections of international importance can be seen in the region's university museums such as Oxford and Reading
- There are strong city museum services in Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Reading, and Brighton and Hove and well-established county museums services for Oxfordshire, Hampshire, and Buckinghamshire
- Historic houses and associated specialist and general collections are well represented by the large numbers of National Trust properties and English Heritage sites
*(In the 12 months prior to their interview:Taking Part Annual Report 2005/06, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, May 2007)
Further information on South East museums can be downloaded from the right hand side of the screen.
