Chester's Grosvenor Museum is a hidden gem say Visit England
The Museum's combined score was 83%
Following an assessment in July, Chester’s Grosvenor museum has maintained its Visit England accredited attraction status.
The assessment looked at: Pre-arrival, Arrival, Attraction, Cleanliness, Toilets, Retail and Staff. To achieve accreditation, there must be a combined score of at least 60% overall. The Museum's combined score was 83% with the highest score in the staff category (97%) and cleanliness (90%)
The assessment of the museum staff during the visit said: “All staff members are exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable, significantly enhancing the visitor experience.
“Throughout the museum, the team are welcoming and eager to assist. All staff are approachable and passionate about the museum's collections. They often offer interesting anecdotes or additional context that enriches the understanding of Chester's history.
“Their enthusiasm for the museum's mission and dedication to ensuring visitors have a memorable experience make them a standout assessment aspect.”
The cleanliness assessment noted: “The cleanliness across all assessed areas is commendable, contributing to a pleasant and comfortable visitor experience. The museum is well-maintained, with litter-free floors, dust-free exhibits, and clean, well-kept toilet facilities. The public areas, including the entrance foyer and galleries, are regularly cleaned, ensuring a tidy and welcoming environment.
“Even in busier areas, such as the Roman galleries and period rooms, the attention to cleanliness is evident. This high standard of upkeep enhances the museum's overall enjoyment, allowing visitors to focus on the exhibits without distraction.”
Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future said: “The assessor summed up his visit as – ‘The Grosvenor Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in Chester's past. Its blend of historical, cultural, and artistic exhibits that offers something for everyone, making it a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience’. He brought along a junior assessor, his 12-year-old son who was just as enthusiastic. He was particularly captivated by the Changing Landscape of Snowdon exhibition.
“The assessment follows a recent survey by Visit England placing the Grosvenor Museum in the top 20 of the most visited free attractions in the Northwest. Congratulations to the entire team for managing, in the assessors words ‘a hidden gem a short walk from Chester's famous City Walls’. The report added some useful suggestions for improvement that I’m sure the team will action.”
The Grosvenor Museum has recently installed new lifts and refurbished the toilets.
Entries are currently open for the 15th Grosvenor Museum Open Art Exhibition. For details visit: https://westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/
The Grosvenor Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 5pm and Sunday, 1pm to 4pm. Closed on Monday, but open on Bank Holiday Mondays. Entry is free but donations are welcome.