Support the museums on your doorstep

Explore 30 historic rooms filled with period furniture and important works of art in this 17th-century house that stands next to Aston Villa football stadium. Learn about the house's fascinating history, including the battle scars it still bears from the Civil War. And see how Aston Hall remains committed to serving local communities today, with a free art club for children and a display made in collaboration with local young people, recreating a young Black girl's dressing room, in celebration of the diaspora community.

Founded in 1901 by a local businessman, the Laing Art Gallery boasts a significant permanent collection of British and European art. Highlights include its 18th- and 19th-century paintings by leading figures such as Joshua Reynolds, William Holman Hunt and Paul Gauguin. There's also a Northern Spirit gallery, spotlighting outstanding works of art and objects by local artists and craftsmen, including a stunning display of Newcastle silver and North East pottery. Don't miss their current exhibition Yevonde: Life and Colour, organised by London's National Portrait Gallery – and if you've got a National Art Pass, you'll get 50% off exhibition tickets.

Travel through time and learn about Barnsley's fascinating history, from the prehistoric era to today. Housed inside the Town Hall, the gallery holds an eclectic collection of objects, ranging from medieval jewellery to miners' canary cages, telling the stories of people who've lived and worked in Barnsley. Explore their temporary and community-curated exhibitions to get a deeper insight into the town's stories.

This Spanish Baroque-style palace on the banks of the River Kelvin is a must for anyone looking for a culture-filled day in Glasgow. Marvel at 8,000 objects in their 22 themed galleries with wide-ranging collections, from natural history to outstanding works of art. Visiting with kids? The displays have been specially designed with children in mind, with lots of interactive activities that will keep younger ones entertained.

Over 2,000 years, Cardiff Castle has evolved from a Roman fort and Norman stronghold into a Victorian Gothic Revival fantasy palace. Its Romanesque walls and tall towers are straight out of a fairytale, concealing its lavish interiors designed by architect William Burges in 1868. Marvel at the impressive craftsmanship throughout, from intricate mural paintings to colourful stained glass and opulent gilding.

Discover an impressive collection spanning 500 years of fine art, sculpture, ceramics and glass at Bath's Victoria Art Gallery, a Grade II listed building that opened in 1900 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. It boasts over 1,500 items in its permanent collection, from 17th-century oil paintings by Thomas Gainsborough to contemporary works by Grayson Perry, which is displayed on rotation. Something you want to take a peek at but isn't on display? Don't miss their free monthly Art Store Tours, where a curator will take you behind the scenes to see where the collection is held.

Learn about the rich history and culture of west Cornwall at Penlee House Gallery & Museum. This Italianate villa, formerly a Victorian home, now puts on a changing programme of exhibitions that spotlight the people and artists who lived locally during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the notable Newlyn School artists. The museum's collection spans 6,000 years of history and includes important items relating to social history, archaeology and natural science. Please check with the gallery ahead of your visit as it closes in between exhibitions.

Do you dig archaeology? As Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain, Colchester Castle was built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius and remains the largest Norman keep in Europe. Plus, they have incredible archaeological collections covering 2,500 years of local history, from the Celtic kings and the Roman invasion to the Norman conquest and medieval life. With interactive displays and fun activities, including dressing up as an Iron Age Briton or steering a Roman chariot, it makes a great day out for families.

Housed in a Grade II listed building, the Grundy is a hub of contemporary art in Blackpool and offers an annual programme of temporary exhibitions spotlighting both established and emerging artists. In 2023 and for the first time, they hosted the New Contemporaries exhibition, a survey of early-career artists from UK art schools. Their collection holds over 2,000 items, including Victorian oil paintings, Blackpool souvenirs and major contemporary works by leading figures such as Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Tracey Emin, and Gilbert and George.

If you're fascinated by crannogs, castles and local craftsmanship, look no further than Fermanagh County Museum, situated inside the walls of Enniskillen Castle. The museum celebrates the county's rich history, rural traditions and lakelands heritage, revealing the lives of its earliest settlers and the medieval pilgrims who journeyed through Lough Erne. They also offer a changing programme of exhibitions, drawing from their impressive art collection with paintings by William Scott and rare porcelain items from local Belleek Pottery.