English Heritage: Fees and Charges

Mr. Hunt
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average price of entry to an English Heritage property was in each of the last three years.

Barbara Follett
The information requested has been provided by English Heritage and is set out in the following table. The average charge shown is based on one full-price adult ticket. English Heritage has over 400 sites in its care of which around 112 are staffed and charge admission. The remaining sites are free to visit.

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|       |Maximum charge (£)|Minimum charge (£)|Average charge (£)|Number of sites|
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|2005-06|8.95              |2.00              |3.66              |116            |
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|2006-07|9.50              |2.00              |3.82              |117            |
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|2007-08|9.80              |2.40              |4.09              |112            |
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The main reason that entry fees for English Heritage sites have gone up faster than the rate of inflation is the investment at many key sites. English Heritage has invested over £21 million to improve the visitor experience at sites like Kenilworth, Battle Abbey and Audley End. English Heritage average admission prices have traditionally been behind that of the market. In 2007-08 the average adult admission charge for English Heritage properties was £4.09, while the average for all attractions in England was £5.00.