VisitEngland has revealed attractions across the country saw a three per cent increase in admission numbers during 2010.

Over the course of the year, non-charging attractions saw numbers increase by six per cent, with paid-for attractions reporting a decline of one per cent.

The British Museum maintained its position as the most popular, free, tourist attraction in England, welcoming a total of 5.8 million visitors, some five per cent more than in 2009.

Tate Modern, the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum were also among the most popular.

The Tower of London once again came top of the paid-for category, seeing 2.4 million visits.

Guests were also willing to cough up for a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Windermere Lake Cruises, and Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo.

VisitEngland collected data from 1,082 sites.

Regional venues also featured heavily among the most popular free attractions, including the Ashmolean Museum, the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Museums Sheffield and the World Museum Liverpool.

VisitEngland chief executive, James Berresford, said: “England has a wealth of top class visitor attractions, many of which are free.

“We know Britons are even more worried about the economy and this will have an impact on their holiday choices.

“Competition on the world stage is tough and it is the quality of our attractions that will help to ensure that people come back time and time again to visit something new, exciting and unique to England.”