ABSTRACT
So far in the survey statistics have been presented on the demographic composition of museum visitors, and the patterns and motivations of their visiting. This is the point where most surveys usually finish, having satisfied their specific market research aims, and leaving further interpretation of the findings to the reader. However, if we wish to understand the place of museum visiting within contemporary British culture we have to understand why these visiting patterns occur. In particular we have to examine why some groups consistently go to museums and other heritage presentations less than other groups.
