2021 Headline results
The results from this survey are reported annually, providing an overview of the visitor attraction sector.
The full report on 2021 trends is available here: 2021 Trends Report (PDF, 3.6MB)
The survey is carried out through a mix of online and postal survey. This approach means we're unable to verify results provided by individual attractions beyond a very basic 'sense check'. Read more about our methodology (PDF, 487KB).
Survey users should also be aware that the lists of English attractions included in the report only feature those that choose to participate and agree to make their results public.
The Annual Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions is an official statistic and is produced in adherence with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (2009). You can find out more about what this means by visiting Official Statistics.
If you have any queries about the survey, get in touch. Results of the survey are published according to our release timetable.
TOP 10 MOST VISITED FREE ATTRACTIONS IN ENGLAND:
| Rank |
Name of Attraction |
2019 Visitors |
2020 Visitors |
2021 Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Brighton Pier |
4,901,221 |
4,110,005 |
4,260,485 |
|
2 |
Natural History Museum |
5,423,932 |
1,296,763 |
1,571,413 |
| 3 |
British Museum |
6,239,983 |
1,275,466 |
1,327,120 |
| 4 |
Abbey Gardens (Bury St Edmunds) |
1,228,564 |
1,021,048 |
1,276,864 |
| 5 |
Tate Modern |
6,098,340 |
1,431,704 |
1,156,037 |
| 6 |
Somerset House |
2,841,772 |
724,310 |
984,978 |
| 7 |
Science Museum |
3,301,975 |
861,795 |
957,223 |
| 8 |
Victoria and Albert Museum |
3,992,198 |
872,750 |
857,742 |
| 9 |
Clacton Pier |
Not available |
450,000 |
450,000 |
| 10 |
National Gallery |
6,011,007 |
1,197,143 |
708,924 |
TOP 10 MOST VISITED PAID ATTRACTIONS IN ENGLAND:
| Rank |
Name of Attraction |
2019 Visitors |
2020 Visitors |
2021 Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens |
2,316,699 |
1,222,956 |
1,963,171 |
|
2 |
Chester Zoo |
2,086,785 |
1,182,652 |
1,601,327 |
| 3 |
RHS Garden Wisley |
1,236,434 |
993,516 |
1,410,785 |
| 4 |
Windermere Lake Cruises |
1,613,785 |
419,574 |
1,065,707 |
| 5 |
Trentham Gardens |
Not available |
543,113 |
772,678 |
| 6 |
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo |
732,672 |
630,772 |
754,896 |
| 7 |
ZSL London Zoo |
1,157,076 |
504,351 |
742,359 |
| 8 |
Tatton Park |
769,000 |
580,000 |
740,000 |
| 9 |
Longleat Safari & Adventure Park |
1,011,314 |
495,037 |
727,800 |
| 10 |
Blenheim Palace |
984,913 |
424,416 |
599,601 |
