British Museum

The British Museum features a massive collection exceeding 7 million items from around the world

Entrance to the British Museum
Entrance to the British Museum cc licensed photo by Juan de Dios Santander Vela

Founded in 1753, the British Museum features a massive collection that exceeds 7 million items which come from all over the world, representing and revealing human history and culture from its origins all the way to the present.

The British Museum is constructed around a central courtyard (pictured below) which is completely covered with a roof made of 1656 individually shaped glass panes set in a steel frame. This is the largest covered courtyard in all of Europe. The front facade is of Greek Revival Style featuring 44 columns that are 45 feet in height. The museum has nearly 100 different galleries covering over 800,000 square feet.

Since the British Museum is a national museum it has free admission and is open daily, making it a great place to visit if travelling on a budget. The museum also has rotating exhibitions, however there is an admission charge to view them.

For more information about the British Museum as well as exhibitions and hours see the official website link below.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

British Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, UK

Phone: 020 7323 8000

Official Website: British Museum

British Museum Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating The museum is free and it's HUGE. Just prepare yourself. But it's amazing!! Mummy's we're my favourite. Worth your trip. It is little warm inside, so if you are visiting, leave your jacket in the cloak room. Bags are checked at the entrance and that's good :) plenty of places to eat if you get hungry 😋 over all - really amazing experience.
Daily Mail - a month ago

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5 Star Rating The British Museum is impressive on its own, but the 90-minute Highlights Tour truly made the visit exceptional. It was well-paced, informative, and a great way to experience the museum without feeling overwhelmed. Our guide was fantastic! She was knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about the collection. She brought each exhibit to life with stories, context, and surprising details you’d never pick up just walking through on your own. The museum covers an incredible range of places and time periods - from ancient Egypt, and Greece to medieval Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. It’s amazing to see so many iconic pieces from such a wide span of human history under one roof. Entry is free, though the tour did require a paid ticket. The building itself is beautiful, the layout is manageable with a plan, and it’s easy to reach via public transport. It does get busy, but the guided tour helped make the experience feel more focused and personal. All in all, a fantastic visit. I’d highly recommend booking the tour, as it added so much to the experience!
Selina Uhlik - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating This is why I came to the UK. So much to see in1 place. If you are a history buff you could spend days here! I'd advise booking tickets well in advance even though it's free because it does get busy, but we went to the back entrance as walk ins and so long as you are early you have no problem. We stayed from opening to close and I could easily have spent more time. It just depends how interested you are in this sort of thing.
Andrew Collins - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating One of those museums you should go to, but recommend you get the free tickets in advance. Place was an absolute zoo the day I went and it was hard to see some exhibits for the crowds. If you get chance, look for the locket Henry VIII gave to Katherine of Aragon - absolutely amazing.
Helen Darbyshire - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Very nice museum with incredible amounts of very well preserved historical artifacts and objects. The only downside was the ridiculous amount of people visiting, but this is to be expected when entry is free (which is great and makes a visit absolutely worth it). There are also free guided tours of many of the exhibitions by very knowledgeable guides at set times throughout the day. The building itself also has very beautiful architecture.
Ulrik Skøien Stafsnes - a month ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Northern and Central LinesTottenham Court Road5 Minutes
Piccadilly LineHolborn8 Minutes

How to get to British Museum by Tube

From Tottenham Court Road Station exit onto Tottenham Court Road and go left (north), then right on Great Russell Street. The museum is a couple of blocks ahead on your left.

From Holborn Station exit onto Kingsway and go right (north), then left on High Holborn, then right on Southampton, then left on Bloomsbury Way, then right on Bloomsbury Square, then left on Great Russell Street. The museum is just ahead on your right.

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