Hull And East Riding Museum Of Archaeology Shortlisted For National Award

The Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology has been shortlisted in the best accessible category for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Awards.

Charity Kids in Museums has run a prestigious annual award since 2004, recognising the most family friendly heritage sites in the UK. It is the only museum award to be judged by families.

From February to late April, families across the UK voted for their favourite heritage attraction on the Kids in Museums website. A panel of museum experts, children and young people then whittled down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of 20 heritage attractions.

Hull Museums Access and Inclusion Manager, Esther Hallberg, said “Hull and East Riding is a hidden gem of a museum and we’re so proud it’s been nominated by the public. We’re especially pleased that it’s for accessibility, which is something we’ve been working really hard to improve over recent years. We were runners up with Streetlife Museum in 2024, so this year we’re hoping to go one better.”

The Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology invites visitors to journey through 235 million years of history. From majestic mammoths to marvellous Roman mosaics, visitors can step into a world where history comes alive. Find out about the Saxon invaders, stroll through an Iron Age Village and get a glimpse inside a Roman bath house.

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, a set of guidelines on what makes a great museum visit for all ages. Their experiences will decide a winner for each award category and an overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2026. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.

Cllr Jackie Dad, deputy leader and portfolio holder for culture, said: “This is fantastic news for Hull Museums and I wish the team lots of luck – bring that award home!”

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.