LONDON, Aug 16 — For the first time in 10 years, London’s Tate Modern contemporary art museum become England’s most-visited cultural institution, welcoming 5.87 million visitors in 2018, according to a report by the Visit England tourist office.
English culture enjoyed sustained popularity in 2018: visits to tourist attractions in Queen Elizabeth II’s homeland increased by two per cent, and those to museums and art galleries jumped six per cent compared to previous years. 2018 in general was a great year for UK tourism, buoyed by the birth of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s third child and the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
In the museum category, the Tate Modern came in first in front of the British Museum, which admitted 5.83 million visitors, for the first time in 10 years. The National Gallery completes the podium, with 5.73 million visitors.
Another new trend was outlined by the report: an interest in places of worship, which saw a three per cent rise in traveler interest.
As far as attractions with entrance fees go, the Tower of London retains top spot, with 2.86 million visitors taking in the crown jewels. The Chester zoo, outside of Liverpool, is the second such attraction, with 1.97 million visitors. The Kew botanical gardens, located in London’s Richmond neighbourhood, sold tickets to 1.86 million people. — AFP-Relaxnews
