Awards & Accreditation

Full Accreditation achieved in 2014

The New Forest Museum achieved Accredited status from the Arts Council England (ACE) in 2014.

What is Museum Accreditation?

The ACE Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for UK museums.  To meet the requirements of the scheme, museums must demonstrate that they achieve clearly defined standards relating to governance and management, services for users, visitor facilities and collections management.

There are currently over 1800 museums participating in the Scheme, demonstrating their commitment to managing collections effectively for the enjoyment of all communities.

What does Accreditation mean to our visitors?

It means that our local visitors have a remarkable museum on their doorstep whilst our holiday makers have an excellent introduction to the New Forest National Park. The New Forest Centre has been awarded Accredited status because it meets nationally agreed standards on collections care, how to govern museum management and the provision of information and services to visitors. Come and visit!

What does Accreditation mean to our funders and the museum/library and archive community?

It means that the New Forest Centre is a valuable learning resource for people of all ages, contributing to personal identity and social cohesion.

It means that as an Accredited museum we have an impact on the economy by encouraging tourism for instance.

It means that we play a key role in caring for the UK’s cultural heritage.

And it means ACE is committed to the continued recognition and promotion of our remarkable collections, so they can be fully enjoyed by many generations to come.

What does Arts council England (ACE) do?

ACE supports the arts, museums and libraries - from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature and crafts to collections.

Find out more

	The Family Friendly logo provides an instantly-recognisable guarantee of quality family friendly facilities at member museums. The Family Friendly initiative is part of the Tourism South East Family Fun campaign and is funded in part by Renaissance in the Regions - the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's (MLA) groundbreaking programme to transform England's regional museums and galleries.
	The New Forest Museum was Highly Commended in the  Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the Tourism South East Beautiful South Awards for Excellence 2010.
	VAQAS recommended VisitBritain’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme was launched nationally in 2001.  It is a consumer focused quality assessment service for all types of visitor attractions.
	Heritage Lottery Fund
	AIM Member AIM – the organisation for independent museums – was founded to encourage new standards in the provision of service to users. AIM represents the strengths and needs in national policy making and provides a thriving network of information and help for members.
	Green Leaf Tourism Scheme The Green Leaf Tourism Scheme (GLTS) is part of a national pilot for sustainable tourism in the UK. New Forest District Council and GLTS businesses have made a commitment to supporting: Car-Free Tourism New Forest Marque Produce Energy Waste & Recycling initiatives Landscape Conservation Forest Friends - Visitor Stewardship Community Tourism