THE Museum of Liverpool was the most popular museum in the UK, outside London, figures for 2012 reveal.
More than 1m people visited the Mann Island attraction, which opened less than two years ago, in what has been termed the most successful year ever for galleries and museums on Merseyside.
Acrodd the UK, visits to indoor attractions were up 5pc, with analysts pointing to a wash-out summer for the gains.
The Walker Art Gallery saw an increase of 40pc in people through its doors in 2012, helped along by the Rolf Harris exhibition, while Tate Liverpool had 6pc more visitors – attracted by shows like Alice in Wonderland and Turner Monet Twombly.
Hirst
There were also increases at the International Slavery Museum (9pc) and the Lady Lever Art Gallery (7pc).
And in another coup for the North West, Chester Zoo was named as the most popular paid for attraction outside London with 1,405,233 visitors.
The figures, published in a report today by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions reveal that overall, the British Museum had the highest number of visits (6m) last year. Tate Modern, with its Damien Hirst retrospective, was second.
Turner Monet Twombly At Tate Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool Director Dr David Fleming said: “In 2012 we had our most successful year ever, with more than 3.3m visits.
“We attract more people now than we did during Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture, and nearly five times as many as a decade ago.
Challenge
“Our eight museums and galleries are exciting and emotional places to visit – that’s the secret of our success.
“The big challenge is maintaining this success when public funding is shrinking.”
Tate Liverpool’s executive director Andrea Nixon said: “Popular exhibitions such as Alice in Wonderland and Turner Monet Twombly: Later Paintings contributed to the uplift in figures, as did our Liverpool Biennial display.
“This year is our 25th birthday, and with a diverse programme of exhibitions and activities including our Glam! exhibition and the upcoming Chagall: Modern Master, we look forward to welcoming many more visitors.”
