Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery are celebrating major visitor growth and outperforming national trends.
Visitor numbers at Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery have surged by 26.5% compared to pre-pandemic levels (2018/19), marking a significant milestone for the district’s cultural offer and placing the museum ahead of national recovery trends.
The latest figures show that over 52,000 visitors came to the Leeming Street venue in the last year, and highlight a strong resurgence in local engagement, with Mansfield bucking wider sector patterns. Across the UK, museum visitor numbers have been steadily recovering, but many institutions continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
Against this backdrop, Mansfield’s growth represents a standout local success story, demonstrating the continued importance of accessible, community-focused cultural venues.
The increase reflects sustained investment in exhibitions, events and community engagement, supported by Mansfield District Council’s status as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), with funding from Arts Council England helping to enhance and expand the museum’s offer.
Over the past year, the museum has delivered a vibrant and varied programme that has attracted new and diverse audiences. This has included popular Mansfield Town FC history talks, unique ‘Dogs in Museums’ film screenings, a community IFTAR evening and the acclaimed World of Birds exhibition, which showcases rare and remarkable species that cannot be seen anywhere else.
Alongside these highlights, the museum continues to offer a wide range of family-friendly workshops, seasonal events, and exhibitions celebrating local heritage, art and creativity. From interactive displays exploring Mansfield’s industrial past to contemporary showcases and hands-on activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The museum has also strengthened its offer for education and community groups, with tailored school visits, guided tours and group experiences available throughout the year. Over 11,000 children and young people have been supported by the Learning and Aspiration team in the last year; an increase of over 56% from the year before a strong indication of the engaging, curriculum-linked learning opportunities and memorable days out being offered for visitors of all ages.
With a welcoming and inclusive approach, Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery remains a space for the whole community. Residents, schools, community groups and visitors are all encouraged to explore the museum, take part in events and discover something new.
Cllr Stuart Richardson Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth at Mansfield District Council, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to see Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery thriving, with visitor numbers not only recovering but exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
This remarkable 26.5% increase is a testament to the hard work of our staff, the quality and variety of our exhibitions and events, and the strong connection the museum now has with our community.
From inspiring school visits to creative workshops and engaging exhibitions, the museum continues to play a vital role in bringing people together and celebrating our local heritage.
At a time when many museums across the UK are still rebuilding visitor numbers, Mansfield is leading the way. We warmly encourage everyone - residents, schools, groups and visitors alike - to come and experience everything the museum has to offer.”
A full programme of current and upcoming exhibitions and events can be found at: www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum.