Baltic named region’s most popular free attraction

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead was the North East’s most popular free attraction in 2023 according to the newly published annual attractions survey by VisitEngland – the official tourist board for England.

The international centre for contemporary art welcomed 411,200 visitors in 2023; an increase of more than 30,000 compared with the previous year. The gallery expects to welcome its ten millionth visitor in March 2025.

Announced as part of VisitEngland’s annual attractions survey, which looks at trends in visitor numbers across the country, the data shows museums and art galleries across England reported the highest increase in visits compared with the previous year (up 20%).

Sarah Munro MBE, Director of Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, said: “The diverse mix of high quality exhibitions, community gatherings, learning activities and special events at Baltic has really captured the public’s imagination, and we’re seeing a continued increase in visitors as a result.

“Hew Locke’s ‘The Procession’, the Chris Killip Retrospective, and Larry Achiampong’s ‘Wayfinder’, all proved to be hugely popular exhibitions in 2023.

“Our learning and teaching programme has offered opportunities for people of all ages to not only learn about art, but explore different ways of seeing and thinking about the world by engaging with the work and the artists that make it.

“We’ve also expanded beyond the galleries to programme special events for Refugee Week, co-host the popular Holi Festival with GemArts, and stage our second Art Car Boot Fair which provides an annual opportunity for local artists and makers to sell their work. 

“We’re all incredibly proud to have retained the title of the North East’s most popular free attraction. It’s testament to the amazing artists we collaborate with, and our wonderfully talented and dedicated team both behind the scenes and front of house.”

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens Museum was the North East’s second most popular free attraction in 2023, with 269,588 visitors.

VisitEngland’s annual attractions survey is compiled using information from 1,513 English attractions. It found the country’s visitor attraction sector grew in 2023 thanks to an increase in overseas visits to attractions (+80% compared with 2022), and an increase in school trips. Sites taking part in the survey reported a 2% decline in domestic visits.

Ian Thomas, Director of Visitor Economy at NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: "We're delighted to see one of Gateshead's most iconic attractions welcoming more visitors and topping the charts in the latest VisitEngland survey. 

“The wealth of free attractions in NewcastleGateshead like Baltic demonstrates why North East England represents such great value for money for visitors looking for an affordable holiday or short break, as the cost of living crisis continues to limit the number of breaks visitors are taking domestically. Our compact and accessible region offers a world of exploration opportunities for budget conscious travellers, who can experience world-class culture, unforgettable landscapes, stunning coastlines and vibrant towns and cities without breaking the bank.