British Museum
The British Museum features a massive collection exceeding 7 million items from around the world
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: YesBritish 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 8299
Official Website: British Museum
British Museum Reviews
Rated
out of 5 A huge collection of important parts of history and art. It gets very warm. The tour groups all seem to start at the Rosetta stone and go back so skipping this if you are there early and coming back to it may help. Some of the galleries do not allow tour groups and these were a nice quieter break. Some of the very important pieces are quite small so knowing the highlights of each room is helpful. The standby line when we were there was very long, but moved quickly.
Gary Smith - 2 weeks ago
I recently visited the British Museum and had a fantastic experience. The exhibits are incredibly well-curated, showcasing a rich tapestry of history from around the world. The museum's vast collection offers something for everyone, and I particularly enjoyed the depth of information provided for each display. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in history and culture.
Bernardo Nóbrega - a week ago
I visited the British Museum, and it was truly an impressive experience. The museum's size and extensive collection were captivating. The Ancient Egypt and Greece sections were particularly remarkable. Seeing the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles up close was thrilling, allowing me to examine such significant pieces of history. The fact that the museum is free to enter means that people of all ages and from all over the world visit, which was wonderful to see. However, the debates about whether some artifacts should be returned to their countries of origin were thought-provoking. Overall, the British Museum is a must-see in London.
Huseyin HS - 2 weeks ago
One of the best museums I’ve ever been to. The collections are all outstanding, and they have so many jewels that have marked human history. It’s a museum not to miss, but it is huge. Plan ahead because there’s so much to see, you need to prioritize what you like. It was VERY crowded on a Sunday.
Cristina Muyshondt - 3 weeks ago
Was fortunate to have carved out time to attend the museum's special exhibit, "Michelangelo: the Final Decades," featuring his last works in Rome. It is amazing to see his personal letters and artistic sketches that were realized in paintings, sculpture, and architecture. Pro tip: The lines for general museum entry are extremely long and wrapped around the block at both entries. Since I purchased a timed ticket to this exhibit, I was allowed to skip the very long line and security check. I was directed by a very nice staff person to go straight to the guard for a quick bag check and entry. Very friendly museum staff were eager to direct me to the Great Court and the exhibit. I was able to spend two very focused hours on this excellent exhibit. Highly recommend!
Stephanie Davis - 4 weeks ago
Directions
Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
Northern and Central Lines | Tottenham Court Road | 5 Minutes |
Piccadilly Line | Holborn | 8 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.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near British Museum:
Photo Gallery
Video
Please provide consent and/or disable ad blocker to view the video.