Corinium Museum praised for “outstanding curation and excellent customer care” by VisitEngland
Cirencester’s Corinium Museum’s “extremely well curated” galleries have been recognised by VisitEngland in a recent assessment.
On a mystery visit to the museum, a VisitEngland assessor also praised the “excellent and consistent customer care” the museum team provides. The museum was awarded 92% for the second-year running, in their Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme.
The VisitEngland Visitor Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) sends experienced assessors to judge the quality of English tourist attractions, which includes museums as well as art galleries, safari parks, gardens, historic houses, theme parks and more.
Corinium Museum staff gained maximum marks in the assessment, which means they have again been put forward for a VisitEngland Welcome Accolade this year, after winning the same award for their excellent performance in 2024 and 2025.
Commenting on the staff, assessor Vicky Parr said: “I am delighted to be able to score the whole team 100% once again. This is very rare and the team should all be congratulated on such excellent and consistent customer care throughout the Museum.”
She also praised the work of volunteers who enhanced the experience through their “personable approach, knowledge, and fascinating anecdotes”.
Speaking about the galleries, Vicky Parr said: “The galleries are extremely well curated and it was great to see new displays identified alongside ‘Items from the Store’. The attention to detail continues throughout all areas of the site, including the temporary gallery and the team are to be congratulated on the standards achieved.”
Emma Stuart, Director of the Corinium Museum, said she was thrilled that VisitEngland had once again recognised the value and excellence her team aimed for.
“We hope this will give visitors the confidence to know that they will receive a first-class visit,” she said.
“To achieve 92% for the second year in a row is a huge achievement and it means we can display our Quality Rose Mark with pride for visitors to see.”
Councillor Tony Dale, cabinet member for health, culture, and visitor experience, said: “The Corinium Museum is a hugely important asset within the district’s cultural offering, and I am pleased to see this has been recognised by VisitEngland. The museum has amazing staff and dedicated volunteers. It is fantastic to see their commitment has been acknowledged in this way.”
Contact Information
Cotswold District Council Communications Team
Notes to editors
About Corinium Museum
Corinium Museum is located at the heart of Cirencester, the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’. The principal collection consists of the highly significant finds from the Roman town of Corinium. However, the museum today is much more than that, taking you on a journey through time and charting the development of the Cotswolds from its prehistoric landscape to the modern-day.
About VisitEngland
VisitEngland offers quality accreditation to visitor attractions participating in the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme, including museums, art galleries, safari parks, gardens, historic houses, theme parks and more. Attractions are independently visited by our team of experienced quality assessors and offered support and guidance to improve the quality of their visitor experience.
Visitor attractions can gain a VisitEngland Accolade for exceptional facilities. Accolades include Quality Food & Drink, Hidden Gem, Best Told Story, Welcome and Gold.
VisitEngland Quality Schemes | VisitEngland
About Freedom Leisure
Freedom Leisure runs the Corinium Museum facility on behalf of Cotswold District Council.
Freedom Leisure is one of the largest charitable and not-for-profit leisure trusts in the UK managing over 100 leisure and cultural facilities on behalf of partners across England and Wales. We are proud to be delivering high quality, value for money locally-focused leisure services that are sustainable and accessible to all and we are committed to their ongoing development. As a not-for-profit organisation all surpluses are reinvested in support of the objectives we share with our partners.
Improving lives through leisure
- Enabling communities to be more active more often, making the most of their leisure time
- To be a fun and rewarding place for our colleagues to work
- To support our partners with the provision of great community facilities
For all media enquiries please contact:
Samantha Fryer Ward [email protected] on 01285 655611