A MUSEUM that celebrates the life of a famous Northumberland heroine has announced it is dropping its entry charge.
The RNLI Grace Darling Museum at Bamburgh yesterday revealed it is now offering free entry to allow access to people who might otherwise not be able to afford to visit.
The move is also intended to bring the site inline with the charity’s other museums.
Museum bosses have dismissed suggestions the dropping of the charge suggests that it is in difficulty, or that the move is any kind of risk.
They hope the loss of income will be recouped from donations and shop sales.
The attraction celebrates the life of the iconic Victorian heroine who was just 22 when she rowed with her father in raging seas to reach survivors of the wrecked SS Forfarshire.
Initially known only as the Grace Darling Museum, it has been operational since 1938.
Following a major redevelopment funded by a £1m Heritage Lottery Fund grant and other donations, the rebranded RNLI Grace Darling Museum reopened at the end of 2007.
The museum is run by the RNLI Heritage Trust, which was established in 2004 to preserve and promote the RNLI’s heritage.
The trust is a subsidiary charity of the RNLI and manages six museums, 24 historic lifeboats and extensive collections and archives.
A year after its redevelopment in 2007, the museum trialled charging visitors before introducing a permanent entry fee.
