Visitor Numbers in Wales: Cadw

St Davids Bishop’s Palace © David Gill

The visitor numbers for sites in the care of Cadw and where an admission is applied are available. They give an impression of how heritage sites in Wales have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of visitors from 2017 to 2019 ranged from 1.3 million (in 2017) to 1.2 million (in 2018 and 2019). These fell to 197,331 in 2020, and then rose in the following year to 784,772.

The release of the 2022 figures later this year should provide an idea about the recovery of the sector.

Castles built by Edward I in North Wales had represented between 46 and 48 per cent of the total visitor figures for Cadw location between 2017 and 2019. In 2021 they represented 53 per cent. Beaumaris had more visitors in 2021 than it had before the pandemic.

The Guide to the Crown Jewels

1968 (3rd ed.; 2nd impress. 1970)

The Ministry of Public Buildings and Works (MPBW) prepared two types of guide to the Crown Jewels displayed in the Tower of London: both were written by Martin Holes. The first was prepared in 1949 during the reign of King George VI. This unillustrated ‘blue guide’ provided a description of the regalia. It took the format of the site guides to those locations in State Guardianship.

1949 (3rd ed. 1967; 3rd impress. 1968)

An illustrated ‘Official Guide’ was prepared for 1953 to coincide with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This included colour images of the regalia. The format followed the format of the more popular ‘souvenir guides‘ that were produced for sites in State Guardianship from the 1950s.

1962 (3rd ed.; 5th impress. 1967)

Heritage Tourism in Greece: 2022

Knossos © David Gill

The Hellenic Statistical Service has issued data for key archaeological sites and museums in Greece. There were 10.9 million visits to archaeological sites in 2022, with 3 million of those accounted by the Athenian Acropolis. The second most visited site was the palace of Knossos. This is still slightly below the numbers for 2017 but considerably higher than the figures during the pandemic (2.6 million in 2020).

There were 4.6 million visits to museums of which 1.3 million were to the Acropolis Museum in Athens and 474,000 to the National Archaeological Museum. This is slightly higher than the figure for 2016 and well above the pandemic numbers (1.1 million in 2020).

These visits generated 121.5 million Euros in ticket receipts, well above the 21 million Euros in 2020.

Chart © David Gill. Data: Hellenic Statistical Service

Heritage Tourism in 2022: The National Trust

Belton House © David Gill

I have previously posted about the ALVA Visitor Figures for the National Trust in 2022. I used data for the top 10 and top 20 sites in 2022. I have expanded the sample to look at the top 30 most visit properties. These 30 properties attracted 10.2 million visits in 2022: the same 30 attracted 11.3 million visits in 2019, but up from 7 million in 2020 and 8.9 million in 2021.

Chart © David Gill. Data source: ALVA.

Study Day: The Work and Legacies of Charles Thomas Newton

Dedications from Branchidai (Didyma) in the British Museum © David Gill

A cross disciplinary study day will be held at UCL on the career and impact of the curator and classical archaeologist, Charles Thomas Newton (1816 – 1894). Newton was involved with the acquisition of the architectural sculptures from the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, and sculptures from the sanctuary at Branchidai. He was a key figure in the foundation of the Hellenic Society and the British School at Athens.

Date: 12 June 2023, UCL

This event is free and has been made possible by a partnership between the Institute of Classical Studies, UCL History and the British Museum. More details on the link.

Heritage Tourism 2022: Museums in London

The British Museum © David Gill

ALVA has released visitor figures for 2022. The 10 most visited museums in London have shown an increase since the pandemic: 22.3 million visits in 2022. This is down from 36.6 million visits to the same museums in 2019 (but including the National Portrait Gallery).

Heritage Tourism 2022: National Trust

Calke Abbey © David Gill

ALVA has released the visitor numbers for 2022. The top 10 National Trust properties attracted 4.5 million visitors: the same 1o attracted 3.9 million in 2021, and 5 million in 2019. The top 20 National Trust sites for 2022 attracted 7.8 million visitors against 8.1 million visitors for the same 20 in 2019.

Heritage Tourism 2022: National Trust for Scotland

Glenfinnan © David Gill

ALVA has released the data for visitor numbers for 2022. The top 10 most visited sites for the National Trust for Scotland attracted 1.9 million visitors: the same ten properties attracted 1.1 million visitors in 2021. This is only slightly down on the numbers for 2019, 2 million (although some visitor figures were not available for St Abbe’s Head for that year).

Data for the top 20 properties in 2022 show a slight increase from 2019.

Note that data prior to 2018 are not available for all the 10 / 20 properties and this has distorted the presentation.

Heritage Tourism 2022: Cambridge University

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge © David Gill

ALVA has released visitor figures for 2022. The Cambridge University Museums, including the Botanic Garden, attracted 1 million visitors against 534,191 in 2021. This is just below the pre-pandemic number of 1.3 million visitors in 2019. The Fitzwilliam Museum exceeded its 2019 number.

Heritage Tourism 2022: English Heritage

Stonehenge © David Gill

ALVA has released the visitor figures for 2022. The top 10 English Heritage sites attracted 2.6 million visitors against 1.6 million for the same 10 sites in 2021. This is down from the 3.4 million visitors who went to the same ten sites in 2019 prior to the pandemic. Stonehenge has seen the largest recovery from 334,087 in 2021 to 977,316 in 2022: this is still down from 1.6 million in 2019. Clifford’s Tower had record number in 2022 well above the pre-pandemic levels.