The Maritime Museum in Falmouth has been named as Britain’s most family friendly museum, taking on and seeing off competition from five other attractions across the country.

The Family Friendly Museum Award is the biggest of its kind in Britain and the only one judged by families themselves. The award, run with the charity Kids in Museums, aims to celebrate those museums that enthral children of all ages.

Kids in Museums patron Dan Snow, broadcaster and historian, said: “It’s fantastic that National Maritime Museum Cornwall has won the award. Britain is a |seafaring nation, and the museum tells the story of |our relationship with the sea which makes it fascinating for families and children of |all ages.

Jonathan Griffin, director of the museum, said: “Everyone here is absolutely ecstatic to have won this award.

“Focusing on families isn’t an add-on for us, it’s at the heart of what we do. Children are the future. If we get it right for them, we get it right for families and many diverse audiences. We also introduce them to museum visiting and secure our future.

This year’s six shortlisted museums were visited secretly by undercover family judges. The families measured the museum against the Kids in Museums Manifesto – 20 ways to make a museum family friendly – compiled entirely from visitors’ comments.

After sneaking around and reporting back their findings, the Maritime Museum came out on top. The award was presented at a star-studded ceremony at the Telegraph newspaper offices on Friday.