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Recommended Reviews - The British Museum
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Big! Giant! Huge Collection! I think that describes this museum. Be prepared to spend at least half day here. For fast pace like me, it takes us 3 hours. This museum need reservations ahead of time. It is free to public. The museum is popular, if you try to get in at the day arrive, you have to hope not many reserve the ticket. The museum has a lot room with different regions in the world. Many of the collection even the host country doesn't have it. The Egypt collection includes the many types of mummies. This collection not even the Egypt has it. The entrance basically enter to the round section that connected to the different room. You may need a good leg to walk entire museum. They also have folding chairs that you can use and portable to open at the display.
First time here, and it's free to enter. We visited on a Saturday and it was pretty busy, but I'm sure it's like that everyday. We got to see the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian exhibit, the Chinese, Indian, and Greek as well. There's just so much to see. Definitely recommend visiting if you've never been and are in the area.
Late Saturday afternoon in the summer: The Good: *Admission is free! *No cattle crowd lines for security check, I basically walked up. *The new (compared to the original) Grand Courtyard is stunning and a fantastic photo op. *Enlightenment Room 1 is literally the coolest place in the summer. *The Rosetta Stone, Room 4 is a don't miss. *ditto the Tang dynasty figures and China history which was eye-opening in Room 33. Jade story was interesting too in Room 33a. The Bad: *Probably because it's free, the place is super crowded with students, elderly, tourists and large tour groups of all stripes. *The security line was empty because everyone was already inside. *Most of the rooms are hot in summer. I was sweating and clammy. I was surprised people weren't fainting due to the stuffy air. *You have about 10 seconds to see the Rosetta Stone due to the crowd who also don't want to miss it. *Enlightenment Room 1 was filled with people sitting and resting and cooling off in the library-like space. *Special exhibition-Declaring Independence, USA 250 was super small but I guess appropriate given the British lost the war. Room 3. I forgot I had already been to the British Museum 12 years ago. I think I've seen enough but maybe return in the midweek and when it isn't so hot. Sometimes the museum closes early due to the heat.
The Brits plundered many fascinating archeological artifacts from around the world, and the British Museum displays some of the most famous, such as the Rosetta Stone. Admission: free Time budget: minimum 4 hours Free WiFi is available Plenty of clean bathrooms Caution: The museum has no air conditioning. I visited during a rare heat wave, and the museum was a sweat box. Also, if you don't like crowds, you won't like this museum. It gets packed early. Pre-opening tour: The museum offers for UK $35 various pre-opening tours. I took the Greece pre-opening tour. Pros: Small group of 20 before the unwashed masses crowd into the museum. Tour guides are knowledgable. Guides may offer extra time at no charge (e.g. 15-20 minutes extra). Cons: My tour guide did not enunciate or project his voice, so much of the tour was unintelligible.
I enjoyed and appreciated this museum. I thought it was great that this is a free museum so it's accessible to everyone and it wasn't limited at all. It was a full on museum experience and was quite big. There were plenty of staff members around to help you if you need it as well. The staff was also helpful and available at all times we were there. I will say the museum wasn't the most exciting attraction that I've ever experienced, but I'm glad that I still was able to see it. There were a lot of people when we went so it's definitely a popular attraction in London as well but we didn't have to wait in a long line or anything like that. The fact that this is a free museum and it does teach you a lot regarding Britain definitely makes it worth visiting.
The British Museum is a must on your visit to London especially if it your first time in London. Check their website before you arrive to see if a reservation is required. On busy days they require pre-booked reservations which can be made at no cost. I suggest planning 1.5 hours to see the highlights or recommendations found on the free map at each entrance. There are places to sit and relax with a coffee or tea at a counter service cafe or a place with table service. There is a coat and bag check available to the left once you enter through the main entrance. I'm not sure if there is a cost for it.
Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free. This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up.
At the risk of sounding like the SNL character Stefan, for history buffs, this museum has it all and it's free! It covers natural history and human history in one place. The sheer size of the place does not allow for a single visit. I did check out the most of the must-sees which did not disappoint, namely, the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Sculptures, Egyptian mummies, artifacts representing the major cultures, etc. Brings history to life. Sadly, though, much of the collection was 'acquired' during the era of British imperial expansion.
The British Museum houses the world's largest collection of antiquities and is a must-see on a visit to London. We visited late February, which is supposed to be off season and the museum was packed with visitors. We ordered free time-slot tickets on-line (same day) but never were asked to show our tickets. We passed through a quick, but thorough, security scan and then made our way into the museum. The museum is an architectural wonder. Most of the massive structure is Greek Revival. A modern era center court was designed by Norman Foster. I saw a few art deco elements as well. They offer audio tours using your phone but the tours seemed complicated for my husband and I, so we decided to purchase the map and hit highlights. During our 2.5 hour visit, we saw quite a bit. We were impressed with the Egyptian artifacts. Plaques told stories of each piece. We saw Greek tile mosaics and pottery. The evolution of metal working throughout different cultures is interesting. There is a room dedicated to the invention of clocks. And, of course, we saw the Rosetta Stone. Many of the antiquities are controversial because they were seized by ambassadors of the government. The museum sees these items as having a home where they are cared for and protected. In any case, the collections provide guests with a view of cross culture history that is unique and unforgettable. I will say that I found the displays of mummies and other corpses disrespectful. Several souvenir shops throughout the Museum offer interesting books and gifts that even I found tempting. Several cafes provide opportunity to recharge during a visit. I found prices surprisingly reasonable. Restroom facilities are inadequate and some are inaccessible. There were no paper towels in the one that I visited. Places to sit and take a break are also limited. Photography is allowed, but reflections off of glass cases are annoying. Check out the information station for free guided talks during the day.
British Museum, London, April 5 Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 spent part of the afternoon at the British Museum as an easy cultural stop during our London stay. Entry to the permanent collection is free and straightforward, with no reservation required, which made it simple to drop in. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main museum itself is open access. Arrival and First Impressions Entry to the building was very easy, and once inside the scale is immediate. The Great Court sets the tone right away, and everything feels larger and more layered than expected. Even just orienting yourself takes a moment because of how expansive the space is. Getting in was smooth and flexible, and the museum handles steady crowds well without ever feeling restrictive, which helped a lot with kids in tow. The Highlights The Egyptian galleries are one of the first moments where the scale really lands. The large stone sculptures and statues are far bigger in person than photos suggest, and they create a dramatic backdrop as you move through the space. The Rosetta Stone was another key highlight. Seeing it in person adds a different level of context, especially knowing its role in unlocking ancient Egyptian writing. It is not large or flashy compared to some of the other artifacts in the room, but it carries a quiet importance that draws attention naturally. The Samurai exhibition was a standout and required a paid entry ticket. It was absolutely worth it. The display of full armor sets, helmets, weapons, and artwork created a complete and visually rich picture of samurai life. The craftsmanship in the armor in particular held everyone's attention far longer than expected, and it felt more immersive than a typical museum exhibit. We also spent time in the hands-on style learning stations, which were a strong break in pace. These included real artifacts like a flint knife that was thousands of years old and a Roman cosmetic jar believed to have been used for eye makeup. Seeing objects like that up close made history feel very tangible for the kids in a way that glass cases alone do not. There is also a family area tucked away downstairs that worked well as a short reset point. It felt quieter and more relaxed, and it gave the kids a chance to decompress before continuing, which made the overall visit more sustainable. The museum works best as a series of short, flexible stops rather than a structured route, and we naturally moved based on interest and energy levels. The Challenges The main challenge is scale. It is very easy to underestimate how large the British Museum is, and even with breaks built in, pacing becomes the key factor in how enjoyable the visit feels. Trying to cover too much quickly would likely be overwhelming, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, but with a more focused plan and specific sections chosen in advance rather than trying to see everything broadly again. Final Thoughts The British Museum is best experienced in segments rather than as a single continuous visit. The Egyptian galleries, the Rosetta Stone, the Samurai exhibition, and the hands-on artifact stations all offered very different but equally strong experiences. It is free, accessible, and incredibly rich, but the real value comes from slowing down and treating it like a collection of smaller discoveries, with breaks built in, rather than a single museum to "finish."
British Museum -- One of Our All‑Time Favorites We love the British Museum. Every time we go, it feels like stepping straight into the pages of a history book -- except everything is real and right in front of you. You could honestly spend the whole week here and still not see everything. The place is massive in the best way. They've got some of the most famous artifacts in the world: * The Rosetta Stone (yes, the actual one) * Egyptian mummies and tons of ancient treasures * Artifacts from Nineveh, Babylon, Jericho, Africa, and other places in the entire world you usually only read about * A statue head of Nebuchadnezzar * Pieces of the Parthenon * Greek gods carved in stone * Beautiful relics from China, India, Japan, and all over Asia * Detailed exhibits on China's different imperial eras and dynasties It's basically a world tour without leaving London. If you're into history, culture, or just seeing incredible things up close, this museum is a must. We keep coming back, and every visit feels like discovering something new.
Another must visit while in London. Free admission is also a major plus. Huge amount of history that you can spend an entire day absorbing. Emphasis is on human history and culture. Highlights for me included the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Easter Island head. The British Museum Library is also a spectacle to behold. All the exhibits are super well preserved. Signage throughout the museum helps guide your direction as you explore. There is a main lobby/lounging area that also has food available as well as a massive giftshop worth perusing.
Displaying one of the world's finest collections of antiquities, the British Museum contains more than 13 million artifacts from the ancient world. With priceless objects from Assyria, Babylonia, China, Europe, and elsewhere, it's hard to know where to begin in this expansive attraction. It is both an architectural beauty and a trove of some of the world's most noted antiquities and did I mention- it's free to visit. In fact, all museums are in London. Isn't it great? Fact: I read somewhere (not on WhatsApp), that there is only 1 % artifacts on display in BM, the rest 99% are still kept somewhere... just imagine what a loot it was around the world in the name of colonialism... of course some are gifts, but i am sure the majority of them are looted. I am an Indian, and I saw the whole temple from India is on display (similar to the Parthenon Sculptures), and this is the case in every country. You name it, it's there. From the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon Sculptures to Mesopotamian objects, the British Museum is a history buff's dream, containing artifacts in the millions. The immense collection can make an initial museum visit seem overwhelming: Pick the exhibits that most interest you, and plan return trips if you feel so inclined My wife is a museum nerd (she has a sticker for that, too). We did not have much time, so we only spent 2-3 hrs and covered the top 10-15 artefacts like My guide book ( if you want to follow) Lower Floor ------------------- The Rosetta Stone (Room 4) Parthenon Sculptures (Room 18) Bust of Ramesses the Great (Room 4) Hoa Hakananai'a [Easter Island Statues] (Room 24) The Ife head (Room 25) Statue of Tara (Room 33) Tang dynasty tomb figures (Room 33) Aztec serpent (Room 27) Upper floors ----------------- Mummy of Katebet (Room 63) Samurai armour (Room 93) Royal Game of Ur (Room 56) Oxus treasure (Room 52) The Sutton Hoo ship burial (Room 41) Lewis Chessmen (Room 40) Others ------------- Mausoleum at Halikarnassos - Room 21. Portland Vase - Room 70. Oxus Treasure - Room 52. Tree of Life - Room 25. Figure of Shiva Nataraja - Room 33. Figure of Buddha - Room 33. Samurai armour and helmet - Room 93. In addition to a well-stocked, on-site bookshop boasting an exhaustive array of titles on ancient history, archaeology and art history, and don't forget to check their Grant Hall and library.
5 days ago
I came here during the last timeslot of the day, 3:30 PM. The British museum is tailor made for someone like me. The exhibits span hundreds of years. The architecture of this museum is quite unique, especially the triangular shaped windows. The gift shop in this museum spoke to me. Everything was so cute and character themed. I wished I could've booked an earlier time slot as there was not enough time to see everything by closing time. read more
It's not every museum that has a line wrapped around the building when it opens on a Monday morning. But the British Museum is the world's oldest public national museum, has the largest collection of artifacts of any museum in the world, and is the second most visited attraction in all of the United Kingdom. The museum is free to visit, but we reserved a timed entry ticket for when they opened on Monday morning. I suggest you do this, because people who had tickets were walking right through into the museum after a bag check, while people who had not bought tickets ahead of time were having to wait in another line to get in. The museum is so large and has so many artifacts, that it can be a little overwhelming. For that reason, we relied on the list of highlights of the museum to point us to certain artifacts we didn't want to miss: the Rosetta Stone; the colossal bust of Ramesses II (c. 1250 BC); Hoa Hakananai'a (basalt statue from Easter Island); the Ife head (Nigeria, ca. 1300-1400s); the Sutton Hoo ship burial (dating back to 7th century Britain); the Lewish Chessmen (Scottish, ca. 1150-1175); and more. Prepare for crowds and to be a little overwhelmed by people and artifacts and the size of the museum. If you want to see everything, be prepared to spend an entire in the museum. Since it's free, you can do as we did and just spend a couple of hours - that's all we had - and see what you can see (the highlights list helped)! But it's a great museum and easily one of the most important museums in the country. read more
28 days ago
Crowded and Hot There are some awesome artifacts here. It is questionable how these items were obtained. You should visit this museum on a trip to London. I do LOVE how they had a USA 250 exhibit. read more
Big! Giant! Huge Collection! I think that describes this museum. Be prepared to spend at least half day here. For fast pace like me, it takes us 3 hours. This museum need reservations ahead of time. It is free to public. The museum is popular, if you try to get in at the day arrive, you have to hope not many reserve the ticket. The museum has a lot room with different regions in the world. Many of the collection even the host country doesn't have it. The Egypt collection includes the many types of mummies. This collection not even the Egypt has it. The entrance basically enter to the round section that connected to the different room. You may need a good leg to walk entire museum. They also have folding chairs that you can use and portable to open at the display. read more
1 month ago
First time here, and it's free to enter. We visited on a Saturday and it was pretty busy, but I'm sure it's like that everyday. We got to see the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian exhibit, the Chinese, Indian, and Greek as well. There's just so much to see. Definitely recommend visiting if you've never been and are in the area. read more
Late Saturday afternoon in the summer: The Good: *Admission is free! *No cattle crowd lines for security check, I basically walked up. *The new (compared to the original) Grand Courtyard is stunning and a fantastic photo op. *Enlightenment Room 1 is literally the coolest place in the summer. *The Rosetta Stone, Room 4 is a don't miss. *ditto the Tang dynasty figures and China history which was eye-opening in Room 33. Jade story was interesting too in Room 33a. The Bad: *Probably because it's free, the place is super crowded with students, elderly, tourists and large tour groups of all stripes. *The security line was empty because everyone was already inside. *Most of the rooms are hot in summer. I was sweating and clammy. I was surprised people weren't fainting due to the stuffy air. *You have about 10 seconds to see the Rosetta Stone due to the crowd who also don't want to miss it. *Enlightenment Room 1 was filled with people sitting and resting and cooling off in the library-like space. *Special exhibition-Declaring Independence, USA 250 was super small but I guess appropriate given the British lost the war. Room 3. I forgot I had already been to the British Museum 12 years ago. I think I've seen enough but maybe return in the midweek and when it isn't so hot. Sometimes the museum closes early due to the heat. read more
The Brits plundered many fascinating archeological artifacts from around the world, and the British Museum displays some of the most famous, such as the Rosetta Stone. Admission: free Time budget: minimum 4 hours Free WiFi is available Plenty of clean bathrooms Caution: The museum has no air conditioning. I visited during a rare heat wave, and the museum was a sweat box. Also, if you don't like crowds, you won't like this museum. It gets packed early. Pre-opening tour: The museum offers for UK $35 various pre-opening tours. I took the Greece pre-opening tour. Pros: Small group of 20 before the unwashed masses crowd into the museum. Tour guides are knowledgable. Guides may offer extra time at no charge (e.g. 15-20 minutes extra). Cons: My tour guide did not enunciate or project his voice, so much of the tour was unintelligible. read more
12 days ago
I enjoyed and appreciated this museum. I thought it was great that this is a free museum so it's accessible to everyone and it wasn't limited at all. It was a full on museum experience and was quite big. There were plenty of staff members around to help you if you need it as well. The staff was also helpful and available at all times we were there. I will say the museum wasn't the most exciting attraction that I've ever experienced, but I'm glad that I still was able to see it. There were a lot of people when we went so it's definitely a popular attraction in London as well but we didn't have to wait in a long line or anything like that. The fact that this is a free museum and it does teach you a lot regarding Britain definitely makes it worth visiting. read more
The British Museum is a must on your visit to London especially if it your first time in London. Check their website before you arrive to see if a reservation is required. On busy days they require pre-booked reservations which can be made at no cost. I suggest planning 1.5 hours to see the highlights or recommendations found on the free map at each entrance. There are places to sit and relax with a coffee or tea at a counter service cafe or a place with table service. There is a coat and bag check available to the left once you enter through the main entrance. I'm not sure if there is a cost for it. read more
Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free. This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up. read more
At the risk of sounding like the SNL character Stefan, for history buffs, this museum has it all and it's free! It covers natural history and human history in one place. The sheer size of the place does not allow for a single visit. I did check out the most of the must-sees which did not disappoint, namely, the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Sculptures, Egyptian mummies, artifacts representing the major cultures, etc. Brings history to life. Sadly, though, much of the collection was 'acquired' during the era of British imperial expansion. read more
7 months ago
The British Museum houses the world's largest collection of antiquities and is a must-see on a visit to London. We visited late February, which is supposed to be off season and the museum was packed with visitors. We ordered free time-slot tickets on-line (same day) but never were asked to show our tickets. We passed through a quick, but thorough, security scan and then made our way into the museum. The museum is an architectural wonder. Most of the massive structure is Greek Revival. A modern era center court was designed by Norman Foster. I saw a few art deco elements as well. They offer audio tours using your phone but the tours seemed complicated for my husband and I, so we decided to purchase the map and hit highlights. During our 2.5 hour visit, we saw quite a bit. We were impressed with the Egyptian artifacts. Plaques told stories of each piece. We saw Greek tile mosaics and pottery. The evolution of metal working throughout different cultures is interesting. There is a room dedicated to the invention of clocks. And, of course, we saw the Rosetta Stone. Many of the antiquities are controversial because they were seized by ambassadors of the government. The museum sees these items as having a home where they are cared for and protected. In any case, the collections provide guests with a view of cross culture history that is unique and unforgettable. I will say that I found the displays of mummies and other corpses disrespectful. Several souvenir shops throughout the Museum offer interesting books and gifts that even I found tempting. Several cafes provide opportunity to recharge during a visit. I found prices surprisingly reasonable. Restroom facilities are inadequate and some are inaccessible. There were no paper towels in the one that I visited. Places to sit and take a break are also limited. Photography is allowed, but reflections off of glass cases are annoying. Check out the information station for free guided talks during the day. read more
British Museum, London, April 5 Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 spent part of the afternoon at the British Museum as an easy cultural stop during our London stay. Entry to the permanent collection is free and straightforward, with no reservation required, which made it simple to drop in. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main museum itself is open access. Arrival and First Impressions Entry to the building was very easy, and once inside the scale is immediate. The Great Court sets the tone right away, and everything feels larger and more layered than expected. Even just orienting yourself takes a moment because of how expansive the space is. Getting in was smooth and flexible, and the museum handles steady crowds well without ever feeling restrictive, which helped a lot with kids in tow. The Highlights The Egyptian galleries are one of the first moments where the scale really lands. The large stone sculptures and statues are far bigger in person than photos suggest, and they create a dramatic backdrop as you move through the space. The Rosetta Stone was another key highlight. Seeing it in person adds a different level of context, especially knowing its role in unlocking ancient Egyptian writing. It is not large or flashy compared to some of the other artifacts in the room, but it carries a quiet importance that draws attention naturally. The Samurai exhibition was a standout and required a paid entry ticket. It was absolutely worth it. The display of full armor sets, helmets, weapons, and artwork created a complete and visually rich picture of samurai life. The craftsmanship in the armor in particular held everyone's attention far longer than expected, and it felt more immersive than a typical museum exhibit. We also spent time in the hands-on style learning stations, which were a strong break in pace. These included real artifacts like a flint knife that was thousands of years old and a Roman cosmetic jar believed to have been used for eye makeup. Seeing objects like that up close made history feel very tangible for the kids in a way that glass cases alone do not. There is also a family area tucked away downstairs that worked well as a short reset point. It felt quieter and more relaxed, and it gave the kids a chance to decompress before continuing, which made the overall visit more sustainable. The museum works best as a series of short, flexible stops rather than a structured route, and we naturally moved based on interest and energy levels. The Challenges The main challenge is scale. It is very easy to underestimate how large the British Museum is, and even with breaks built in, pacing becomes the key factor in how enjoyable the visit feels. Trying to cover too much quickly would likely be overwhelming, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, but with a more focused plan and specific sections chosen in advance rather than trying to see everything broadly again. Final Thoughts The British Museum is best experienced in segments rather than as a single continuous visit. The Egyptian galleries, the Rosetta Stone, the Samurai exhibition, and the hands-on artifact stations all offered very different but equally strong experiences. It is free, accessible, and incredibly rich, but the real value comes from slowing down and treating it like a collection of smaller discoveries, with breaks built in, rather than a single museum to "finish." read more
6 months ago
British Museum -- One of Our All‑Time Favorites We love the British Museum. Every time we go, it feels like stepping straight into the pages of a history book -- except everything is real and right in front of you. You could honestly spend the whole week here and still not see everything. The place is massive in the best way. They've got some of the most famous artifacts in the world: * The Rosetta Stone (yes, the actual one) * Egyptian mummies and tons of ancient treasures * Artifacts from Nineveh, Babylon, Jericho, Africa, and other places in the entire world you usually only read about * A statue head of Nebuchadnezzar * Pieces of the Parthenon * Greek gods carved in stone * Beautiful relics from China, India, Japan, and all over Asia * Detailed exhibits on China's different imperial eras and dynasties It's basically a world tour without leaving London. If you're into history, culture, or just seeing incredible things up close, this museum is a must. We keep coming back, and every visit feels like discovering something new. read more
9 months ago
Another must visit while in London. Free admission is also a major plus. Huge amount of history that you can spend an entire day absorbing. Emphasis is on human history and culture. Highlights for me included the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Easter Island head. The British Museum Library is also a spectacle to behold. All the exhibits are super well preserved. Signage throughout the museum helps guide your direction as you explore. There is a main lobby/lounging area that also has food available as well as a massive giftshop worth perusing. read more
1 month ago
Displaying one of the world's finest collections of antiquities, the British Museum contains more than 13 million artifacts from the ancient world. With priceless objects from Assyria, Babylonia, China, Europe, and elsewhere, it's hard to know where to begin in this expansive attraction. It is both an architectural beauty and a trove of some of the world's most noted antiquities and did I mention- it's free to visit. In fact, all museums are in London. Isn't it great? Fact: I read somewhere (not on WhatsApp), that there is only 1 % artifacts on display in BM, the rest 99% are still kept somewhere... just imagine what a loot it was around the world in the name of colonialism... of course some are gifts, but i am sure the majority of them are looted. I am an Indian, and I saw the whole temple from India is on display (similar to the Parthenon Sculptures), and this is the case in every country. You name it, it's there. From the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon Sculptures to Mesopotamian objects, the British Museum is a history buff's dream, containing artifacts in the millions. The immense collection can make an initial museum visit seem overwhelming: Pick the exhibits that most interest you, and plan return trips if you feel so inclined My wife is a museum nerd (she has a sticker for that, too). We did not have much time, so we only spent 2-3 hrs and covered the top 10-15 artefacts like My guide book ( if you want to follow) Lower Floor ------------------- The Rosetta Stone (Room 4) Parthenon Sculptures (Room 18) Bust of Ramesses the Great (Room 4) Hoa Hakananai'a [Easter Island Statues] (Room 24) The Ife head (Room 25) Statue of Tara (Room 33) Tang dynasty tomb figures (Room 33) Aztec serpent (Room 27) Upper floors ----------------- Mummy of Katebet (Room 63) Samurai armour (Room 93) Royal Game of Ur (Room 56) Oxus treasure (Room 52) The Sutton Hoo ship burial (Room 41) Lewis Chessmen (Room 40) Others ------------- Mausoleum at Halikarnassos - Room 21. Portland Vase - Room 70. Oxus Treasure - Room 52. Tree of Life - Room 25. Figure of Shiva Nataraja - Room 33. Figure of Buddha - Room 33. Samurai armour and helmet - Room 93. In addition to a well-stocked, on-site bookshop boasting an exhaustive array of titles on ancient history, archaeology and art history, and don't forget to check their Grant Hall and library. read more
9 months ago
Our first full day in London, we went to the British Museum and spent nearly the whole day there -- there was a lot to see! While nothing in particular stood out for me -- it was typical museum exhibits such as Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, the Middle East, etc -- it was still quite interesting, and best of all, it was FREE! Definitely worth visiting, even if you only have a couple of hours, although you can easily spent 4+ hours in there, as we did. The website said you had to book a particular time slot on-line. I hate booking specific time slots as it stresses me out if I am running late; I have to kill time if I arrive early; and I can't know a week in advance what precise time I might want to arrive -- I hate the rigidity of booked time slots. We ended up arriving early, so we spent time in Russell Square Gardens before our visit. When it was time for our entry, we went to what we thought was the entrance and patiently waited in line to get our tickets scanned. There were some long lines of tour groups, but we got in pretty quickly. Only later did we find out that we went to the back entrance where tour groups and such are instructed to go, and we did NOT need to book timed tickets in advance! In fact, you can just walk in at any damn time you want at the entrance. Despite the hassle with the timed tickets, we enjoyed our visit, although I wish there had been better food options. While there were cafes and restaurants, they were packed, and not particularly appealing, although we did have a couple of overpriced drinks. Overall, we had a good time and I would recommend visiting. Just don't bother booking a timed ticket ahead of time -- just go. [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; London, England; Museums and Art Galleries; Cheap Thrills] read more
While traveling to London, you should take advantage of the free attractions, and the British Museum is free to visit. You can reserve your ticket online prior to your visit. From the Piccadilly line, you get off at Holborn and it's a quick 10 minutes walk over. The only down side of a free museum is how crowded it can be, even when my boyfriend and I were visiting during the daytime on a weekday. They tend to have many student tours from all parts of Europe come over to explore the 2000 years of history they have acquired in their collections. The British Museum is one of the oldest and largest museums in the world. It represents all of recorded human civilization. Their collections can be divided into sections on Ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, Ancient Egypt, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Americas. A few things that stood out to me was the excavations on ancient life, the evolution of coins and money, and the famous Rosetta stone. A great place for culture and art. If it was this busy on a weekday, I recommend avoiding the weekend if your schedule allows. read more
One of London's greatest treasures. Anyone interested in history and who loves seeing artifacts from all over the world should spend a day here! I have my favorite displays that I like to visit when I'm here, but I always manage to find something new to amaze me. This time it was learning that the library had been built to house King George III's library. Not to be missed! read more
I dare you to try to see this whole place in a half-day. And no cheating just walking quickly through rooms. Even then you'll probably get lost and see the same things multiple times until you get exasperated enough to ask an attendant for the exit route. Bigger than the Louvre (and hopefully a security password harder to guess), in the words of my niece enjoy seeing "all the stuff they stole over the years", now respectably "on loan" from those requisite countries. Go multiple times and you'll certainly see something new. While there check out the same stuff you saw three times the last visit. We usually go with a list of 10ish things and see about 5ish before we just go see Rosetta and call it a day. Because there will always be a next time until the end of the world. Book your free timeslot online to avoid the really long lines on busy days, and this is a good spot to avoid the rain (which sometimes falls in this fair city). Check out the Reading Room just because, and otherwise you'll find at least three other rooms that suit your fancy. Keep an eye out for me lost somewhere trying to find The Americas room (does it exist)? read more
Truly an awesome museum! You'll feel like a little ant on the hill of history here! If you are like me, you will be overwhelmed by how much history is on display. It's incredible! There are so many things to look at it can be overwhelming but we googled top artifacts to look at and came up with of 10 things to see. We ended up seeing 7 of the 10, plus many other things so we felt successful despite heavy holiday crowds. If you want to see the Rosetta Stone be prepared to encounter a swarm of people around the glass that contains it. Years ago I visited and it wasn't in a case. I can see why they added one. We made an early am reservation (which are free) and we were able to see a lot in the morning when it first opened. This museum is crazy busy, so if you don't do crowded well, take note. A friend said she had luck going later in the day w/ no reservations but take note this is a popular destination in London. I suggest making a plan and picking rooms that interest you, so you can make the most of your visit. The line to the women's restroom took 30 minutes to get through! In all of history, man has never created enough women's stalls for the actual need. :) The gift shop is large as well with plenty of items to temp you. My daughter was able to purchase a lot of souvineers for friends here. Overall, one of my favorite London Museums but busy! read more
1 year ago
I think the trick here is to go to 4-6 major things , knowing you can't see it all this time. So , slow is sure and no stress. We did wind up hungry and had a small sandwich on the first floor. Very fair. read more
2 months ago
This museum is huge. If you enjoy museum, you'd love it. So many to see and explore! Great collections! read more
What a spectacular entrance! I love the ceiling. I got tons of great pics in here. And don't forget the museum is 100% free! Can't beat that. I got to see the Rosetta Stone, Mummies, Parthenon Sculptures, Ramses the Great, and the Sutton Hoo Treasure. The room upstairs with all of the money around the world was interesting too. A great place to spend a few hours. read more
4 months ago
I particularly enjoyed seeing the Rosetta Stone. It may not look especially impressive at first glance, but its significance is extraordinary. The stone contains the same text in three scripts, including Ancient Greek and Egyptian hieroglyphs. Because scholars could read the Greek text, they were eventually able to decipher hieroglyphs, unlocking a language that had been unreadable for nearly 1,400 years. In many ways, the Rosetta Stone became the "translation key" to an entire civilisation, opening a window into thousands of years of Egyptian history, culture and literature. For me, it was one of the highlights of the museum. read more
24 days ago
6 months ago
Wow! What a massive place with so much to see! The crowds are overwhelming. We took the 90-minute highlight tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and detailed. We didn't get to spend time where we wanted to but that was no fault of his. Be sure to plan extra time before or after to get to exhibits that deeply interest you. We had lunch plans with a friend and had to scurry out. read more
I would not have gone if it were not for the Greek guide who repeatedly bemoaned the Elgin Marbles being in the British Museum. One or two times is enough. But she couldn't give it a break, mentioning it at least ten times during our hour-long visit to the Acropolis Museum. So. after the higt tea, here we go again. The front entrance is exit-only now. To enter the museum, one must first go to the right side, through a makeshift tent where an army of half-heartedly working staff is monitoring the visitors, but waving in many of us without looking at our bags or coats. My first time there was in 1982, but I couldn't remember what it was like back then. Since 2000, the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court is built, and it's like an elephant in a kiddie room, leaving visitors gasping for air. (I always feel they could have consulted the Egyptian Wing at the Met Museum in New York before building this QEII Court.) But the library inside is gorgeous. It's crowded. Many rooms are stuffy, hot, filled with odors (mind you, I did wash my face and brush my teeth that morning). A little air conditioning could have saved the day. A pre-packaged combo of sandwich+drink+dessert costs £13 (about $17), but they fail to keep the interior temperature stable. (IF in September, they have switched to heat, then they've to control temp and odor: it's simply disgusting.) China Wing is named after Sir Joseph Hotung (何鸿卿爵士, 1930-2021) since 1992, and was renovated in 2017. Both times, Queen Elizabeth opened it. Hotung was born in Shanghai. The Museum nowadys suffers the common symptom of overcrowding, a problem that plagues many worthy destinations. I remembered visiting the Chinese section at that time. There were only two other visitors: a father and son. The father spoke Cantonese to the young boy, "Son, you've got to remember, they stole these treasures from China." Treasures or not, today's China gallery is more like a bazaar. The same feeling goes for the adjacent jade exhibit at Selwyn and Ellie Alleyne Gallery. The Enlightenment (1680-1820) in Room 1 on the ground floor is enjoyable. I jokingly call it the bragging room. Indeed, they were the master of the universe - the sun never sets on the British Empire, certainly have many things/ideas to show off. Initially, the room was built to house the collection of King George III (1738-1820). It has a replica of Rosetta Stone. So, they've a lot of goodies, many more Elgin Marbles, and the Rosetta Stone, which the Egyptians have requested the return, thought official channel and public campaign. (China has her requests too...). The happy ending is rare. In 2002, more 30 of the major museums, including the British Museum, the Louvre, the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, and the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, issued a joint statement: Objects acquired in earlier times must be viewed in the light of different sensitivities and values reflective of that earlier era...museums serve not just the citizens of one nation but the people of every nation. [Forbes Shifting The Blame, 2003] I find the stories behind these injustices and plunder fascinating. Back then, even the military men, from the general on down, had to know the value of discoveries in order to fight for the piece or pieces for their country. The Greek guide's bemoaning is too simplistic. read more
1 year ago
The British Museum was beautiful. I would like to start this review by saying IT IS FREE to enter. Please do not fall for anyone that is trying to sell you a ticket. Second, it was very, very overwhelming. It is absolutely one of the biggest museums I have ever been to, and if I had more time, I would have certainly explored it some more. Sadly I was only able to visit the first large exhibit. There is more people in this museum than I think the entire population of Kirkwall, Scotland. To go to any bathroom, there's about a 30 minute wait, so good luck to anyone who has to use the bathroom. It is a must see, and my local friends from London tell me it's one of the best places to buy souvenirs, so if you can fit it into your schedule it's a must see. read more
Reserved tickets online for The British Museum ( free entry but donations are suggested). We had to go through a check point and my bag was searched and then let into the museum. The exhibits had a charge. There were several class trips visiting the museum. I would suggest having a guide with you to explain everything and give historical back stories. read more
Seriously wow, hours could be spent here, if not days! Had my ancient knees not been throwing a hissy, I would have spent days! Absolutely one of the top museums of the world! Thousands of years of history. I feel our 4 hours visiting was an insult to the many centuries of historic artifacts stored within! Plan your trip so you can enjoy history! There are items contained that opened the eyes of many. Items seen or touched by many. Some of these items possibly help educate and shaped the minds of many who impacted our planet. Get on the waiting list early for the snack bar as you don't want to miss anything! What were some of my favorites, you wonder? Actually seeing, in person the Rosetta Stone, Sumerian Gates, Celtic tools and weapons, and carvings from my ancestors' lifetimes. read more
8 months ago
I was staying not far from the British museum in Covent Garden and I booked two tickets to see the British Museum which are free. The place is jampacked and interestingly enough there is very little having to do with British history in this museum. There is a lot of Asian art and artifacts which dominated most of the museum. I strongly recommend you get tickets in advance online as they were turning away people that did not have tickets. Don't expect any guided tours unless you pay for your own and it's a little hard to navigate the whole museum but plan to spend at least half a day read more
Thursday September 26, 2024. I'm not a fan of ancient cultures, be it Egyptian, Roman, or Greek. But within a few blocks of my hotel, so just had to come here. Made reservations a day in advance on the internet for an 11am visit on a Thursday. Liked the colorful sculptures of various cultures from the Far East and Alaska. Enjoyed the Rosetta stone and the Easter Island sculptures. The museum is free, but not the cloak rooms, nor the many special exhibits. Much of the Egyptian mummies, the Roman and Greek sculptures reminded me of the New York City MET which I've seen a dozen times. They do have a cafeteria here, but the prices were high, and all the seats were jammed packed, including all areas nearby. Enough to see so that ended up staying here until 4pm, when hunger pains forced me to exit. read more
A five star must see when in London. Every room packed with history, well signed. Additionally, there is an audioguide with numbers posted on artifacts. From the Egyptian room to the 1900s, world history on display. It is vast so give yourself at least 3 hours. Best part is, it is free. The only line was for the bag check in the courtyard. read more
Really enjoyed my visit to the museum. There is a lot to see (really too much for one day). The museum has artifacts from time periods from pretty much every major empire and civilization from Egypt to the Roman Empire and other cultures too. If you plan on going I would book in advance online. The museum is free you just need to select a time and day and you can skip the line and pretty much walk right in. I would recommend planning to stay for a few hours at least if are a person who loves history and likes to see all that a museum like this has to offer. read more
9 months ago
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Great Russell Street
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Bloomsbury
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