Salford Museum and Art Gallery has won the Best Medium Museum in the Family Friendly Museum 2026 national Award.
The news of the museum winning the family friendly award was announced at an awards ceremony in Birmingham earlier this week (Monday October 12).
The national award is ran by charity kids in Museums and it celebrates museums, galleries, historic homes or heritage sites across the UK which go the extra mile to provide a great experience for families.
Launched in 2004, the Family Friendly Museum Award is widely recognised as a benchmark for excellence in the heritage sector.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery made it into a shortlist of three other museums after standing out from hundreds of other nominations.
Families had the final say with paying undercover visits to each of the shortlisted museums over the summer holidays to decide the ultimate winner.
The Salford hidden gem clinched the win after family judges praised the museums welcoming atmosphere.
Judges noted the wide range of engaging, hands-on experiences available throughout the museum, from baby sensory activities to the opportunity for interactive play for children.
A particular favourite feature of the judges was the museum’s much loved Victorian Street experience.
One family judge said: “This was a really enjoyable visit. Staff were attentive with a lovely welcome as we arrived… We felt the child centred approach all throughout the museum and gallery.”
Naomi Lewis, Head of Salford Museums and Galleries, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this award! At Salford Museum and Art Gallery, the whole team works hard to provide welcoming, memorable and joyous experiences. We’d like to thank Kids in Museums for helping us to highlight how important our younger visitors and their adults are.”
The director of kids in museums, Alison Bower has congratulated the Salford Museum for winning the award and says it is a ‘tremendous achievement.’
