Ely Museum has been shortlisted for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award.

Charity, Kids in Museums, has run a prestigious annual award for 16 years, recognising the most family friendly heritage sites in the UK. It is the only museum award to be judged by families.

From late March to early June, families across the UK voted for their favourite heritage attraction on the Kids in Museums website. A panel of museum experts then whittled down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of 16 heritage attractions.

Ely Museum is vying against five other museums in the ‘Best Small Museum’ category.

Emily Allen, Community Engagement Officer at Ely Museum says;

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been nominated for such a prestigious award and recognised for all the brilliant things we have at Ely Museum for families of all ages to enjoy!  From our youngest visitors enjoying our ‘Little Explorers’ under 5s sessions to teenagers curating their own exhibition at our ‘Young Curators Club’, there is something for everyone.

We look forward to a fun, busy summer at the museum with a family friendly temporary exhibition ‘Hold On To Your Hats’ and a programme of craft days throughout the summer holidays too”

In 2021, Ely Museum reopened following a £2.2m National Lottery Heritage Fund redevelopment of the Old Gaol.  With new interactive galleries, filled with hands on activities for all ages, the museum tells the story of the unique fenland landscape and the people who shaped it.  With our Explorers Chest and fun museum trails for all ages, there is lots to enjoy and lots to learn at Ely Museum. From Quiet Hours for those families who prefer a more relaxed visit, to our Hands-on Saturdays featuring object handling for those who prefer something more interactive, a visit to Ely Museum can be tailored to suit a family’s needs and interests.

Over the summer holidays, the museum will be visited by undercover family judges who will assess the shortlisted museums against the Kids in Museums Manifesto. Their experiences will decide a winner for each award category and an overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.

Follow the Family Friendly Museum Award on social media by following @kidsinmuseums and #FamilyFriendlyMuseum.

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