Woodhorn Museum wins Best Accessible Museum in the Family Friendly Museum Award 2026

Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland has won the Best Accessible Museum category in the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award 2026, it was announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on Monday 12 October 2026.

Run by charity Kids in Museums, the national award celebrates museums, galleries, historic homes or heritage sites in the UK that go the extra mile to provide a great experience for families.

Launched in 2004, the Family Friendly Museum Award is widely recognised as a benchmark for excellence in the heritage sector. Each year Kids in Museums receives hundreds of public nominations, which are whittled down to a shortlist by an expert panel. The final say goes to families, who pay undercover visits to each shortlisted museum over the summer holidays to decide the winner.

Woodhorn Museum clinched the win for its the museum’s commitment to ensuring families of all backgrounds, abilities and needs could enjoy their visit with confidence. Judges highlighted the proactive and knowledgeable staff, who took the time to share information about quieter sessions and sensory considerations.

Families appreciated that accessibility was woven throughout the visitor experience, from braille signage to audio descriptions in exhibitions. Judges felt Woodhorn Museum successfully combined a strong sense of welcome with practical, meaningful support, creating an environment where families could focus on spending quality time together and enjoying everything the museum has to offer.

One family judge said: "This is a wonderful place for kids of the North East to learn about their heritage in a fun and interactive way. It’s incredibly good value and everyone was welcoming and supporting."

Woodhorn Museum offers a wide range of experiences for families to enjoy together, from hands-on activities and trails to outdoor play, events and exhibitions inspired by Northumberland's rich mining heritage. Accessibility is embedded throughout the museum, with sensory spaces across the site, specially designed access guides and social stories, quiet spaces, Sound Down Sundays, an accessible Pit Yard Play Area, Changing Places facilities and a range of resources to support visitors of all needs and abilities. Where possible, the museum also offers relaxed sessions for selected events, helping to ensure every family can explore, learn and make memories together in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Jo Raw, Northumberland Venues Manager for North East Museums, said:

"We're absolutely delighted that Woodhorn Museum has been named Best Accessible Museum in the Family Friendly Museum Award 2026. This recognition means so much because it reflects the experiences of the families who visit us and the dedication of our team, who work hard every day to ensure everyone feels welcome, supported and able to enjoy all that Woodhorn has to offer. We'd like to thank Kids in Museums, the family judges and everyone who has visited and supported us. Accessibility is at the heart of everything we do, and we're incredibly proud to receive this award."

Kids in Museums Executive Director, Alison Bowyer, said:

"Congratulations to Woodhorn Museum for winning the Best Accessible Museum category. Our undercover judges were impressed with the accessibility of the museum from the moment they walked through the door, with a warm welcome from staff helping visitors feel relaxed. Accessibility has been built into the multi-sensory interactives, activities and facilities from the start and families really appreciated how that enabled them to have a stress free, fun day out."

The Family Friendly Museum Award has been made possible by funding from Arts Council England.

Please contact: communications@northeastmuseums.org.uk