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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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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)?
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!
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
1 month 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
3 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
28 days 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
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
5 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
5 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
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
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
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
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
7 months 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
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
3 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
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
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
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
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
5 months ago
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
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
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
10 months ago
What: our sole goal was to see the Rosetta Stone. This was on the first floor in room 4. It was awesome to say we've seen it. The place was very packed and everyone was crowded around it. Price: free! You just need to sign up in advance for a time slot. Interestingly, no one scanned or looked at our ticket. Tip: there were two sides of the building to enter on and they will check your small bag. Tip 2: do not bring any large bags or backpacks. read more
Look I lived in the Washington DC area and the Smithsonian was the best place to walk many museums. The British Museum was awesome. The museum was amazing with all the different displays and variety of places to get lost in. The ancient Egyptian artifacts were so beautiful and the Indian display was very unique and interesting. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly helping us get from point to point. It was crowded and extremely hot but many of the people xtra tours were air conditioned and that helped. If you in London this is a must go destination. read more
6 months ago
Traveling from the US. I was suprised that this musuem was free of charge and only accepting donations. This is probably appropriate since the majority of the artifacts are form other parts of the world. My kids and I particularly loved the Egyptian mummies and the African art downstairs. There are many Roman, Italian sculptures, Persian templates and Easter Island Native art. We ate lunch in the cafe which was so so, but we had little time and wanted to get as much out of the musuem as possible. I would recommend this to be a stop for any visitor. read more
One of my bucket list museums, I only had an hour to explore and I feel like I still learned a lot. The layout is very friendly and the exhibits were well maintained and expansive. The British Museum does museums right. Would highly recommend spending a day here and exploring all they have to offer! read more
1 year ago
A huge, gorgeous museum with artifacts from all over the world. Even though admission is free the suggested donation is £5 so please consider pitching in. The exhibits: You'll find everything from the Rosetta Stone, a moai from Easter Island to an incredible turquoise Aztec serpent. I can't begin to describe everything that's here - you can spend hours perusing if you have the interest. Food- we took a break at their pizzeria. If you've ever eaten at a museum restaurant you know the expectation. It's just "okay" but you didn't have to leave the venue which is a plus. My husband and I split a margherita pizza for £14. Earlier in the day I had a hot chocolate at their coffee bar that was surprisingly excellent. They also have a more formal restaurant called the Great Court Restaurant that we did not try. **Gift shop- I always swing through a museum gift shop with the hope something will catch my eye but it's usually a bunch of the same old crap. This one takes up a large portion of the first floor and is truly wonderful. I found a couple of Christmas gifts and a few items I wanted to buy for myself. It was an impressive place. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
The British museum has a little of everything from all over the world, and when you've been such a huge world presence like Great Britain, a little of everything is a LOT. This museum is huge, and I suggest doing some research ahead of time to plan what you want to see and make sure to visit those rooms. Or, you can book a tour. If you don't come with a plan, you will want to make one when you arrive because it would take over a day to see everything. You will also want to take some breaks to just sit and relax between rooms. You can do that in the large lobby area downstairs, but it is still a bit noisy. I wish the rooms had more benches or seating areas in them for quick reflection or a break. I didn't take a lot of pictures, but my favorites were the Egyptian artifacts, Medieval Europe, and everything in the Japanese galleries. My husband loves all things Japanese, so we made sure to spend time in those rooms. You can also see the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. Everything is so well preserved and stunning for how old some items are. Tickets were free, but you must reserve them online in advance. We reserved the night before, and a few timeslots had already sold out. read more
Definitely come and visit the British Museum while in London. It is FREE, don't pay for entry, don't make donations either. If you want, you can make reservations in their website but don't pay for it. Why? One of the many examples, they still have precious ancient artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone, which actually belongs to Egypt. Many if not most of the collections are, to put it simply, "taken" from various other countries. Oh if you don't know about this, do look it up for details. read more
What a grand place, The British Museum! It had a lot of history and culture to explore and enjoy. It was a massive space and I don't think I saw all the exhibits in there before I became tired, lol. Overall, good visit. Especially enjoyed the Egyptian pieces. OH, and this museum is free! All win! Definitely recommend. read more
1 year ago
This museum was one of the highlights of our London trip. It is huge and filled with way more artifacts than we could possibly see in one afternoon. It is free but they ask for donations openly and frequently. It is certainly worth paying a price to see. It is best to get reservations online to avoid a very long line to get in. The Rosetta Stone is probably their most famous and most popular artifact with crowds constantly surrounding it. There is a something for everyone here, but the place is too massive to see it all in one trip. We spent most of our time admiring the artifacts from ancient Egypt before moving on to spend a little time in other parts of the museum. We also had lunch in their restaurant, and it was pretty good food. read more
The British Museum was one of the most memorable museum stops on my last trip to London. Daunted by the sheer size of the museum collection that spans nearly every era of human civilization, I researched the "can't-miss" landmarks on the museum's website. To my relief, the British Museum publishes a list of a dozen or so key highlights to look for. I immediately recognized this as a scavenger hunt opportunity and set off in trying to find each treasure. Exhausted after spending a couple of hours exploring each floor of the museum, I felt super accomplished after being able to check each item off the list - and now I have some cool pictures to commemorate the experience! I'd highly recommend this experience to guests of all ages. (Note: You'll want to reserve your tickets ahead of time - or visit a couple of hours before museum closing - to avoid waiting in a massive queue at the entrance). read more
This is a big museum with artifacts from all over. They've got the Rosetta Stone. It's a big hunk of rock and SO MANY PEOPLE take selfies with it. (shrug) It is strategically placed so that it is easy to locate on the main floor of the museum. Entry to this museum is FREE with a suggested donation of £5 (less than $10 US). I'll say that again: FREE access to all of this great stuff. I suggest hitting their website to check the hours and request a ticket for a specific time. I think they may limit the number of people in the building, so having that free reservation is a good idea. Also, it speeds entry since you just have them scan the QR code. I believe there are special exhibits that do require payment, but there is so much here that you don't need to do that, especially on your first visit, unless it is something you're REALLY into seeing. The gift shop takes up most of the center of the main floor. It is a big shop with plenty of souvenirs and even more books. This is a research museum and some items were listed as having been temporarily removed for research purposes. If you're into ancient Egypt, this is pretty much a must-go place. However, they have expansive collections of so many other parts of the world, too: there's an informative and beautiful section on Mayan artifacts and culture, for example. The section of Japanese artifacts was really well done: not cramped and with plenty of descriptions. I learned a lot. The place is huge and I recommend downloading the map or b purchasing one at the entrance for ... I think it was £3. If you download their audio app ahead of time, you can preload the overview audio files -- though I found the main areas too crowded and loud for my Shockz headset to be of any use. Don't miss "Room 1," on the main floor. This is intended to represent a museum during the Enlightenment period and looks like you'd think an old museum/research library would look, but with less dust. The room was originally built to house the library of King George III and is beautiful. I was a little bummed that the map said Room 3 (a variable exhibit) had the "Asahi Shimbun Displays" but actually had no real exhibit during our visit. They have cafes, a restaurant, and a pizza restaurant onsite and out front, but within the museum grounds, there was a coffee truck/trailer with some tables and chairs. Also, free wifi, though it can be congested and a bit pokey. read more
Plan ahead and reserve your tickets online at least a week in advance if you want to be here at a specific time/date. It's free admission. I'm not sure if I was here (10/30/24) during the school break week but there were A LOT of people. Even with the reserved ticket, the line was down the block. If you didn't reserve your ticket in advance, you were NOT allow to get in. Like many others, I came to see the Rosetta Stone. It was like bees in a beehive. People just stood there with their phone cameras and didn't want to move. Seriously, how many videos or photos do you need? I just enjoyed it from far and took one quick picture. I also had plans to see the Egyptian collections. That was pretty amazing. I didn't spend as much time as I had planned. The museum felt stuffy and unorganized. I wanted to get out of there. read more
5 months ago
Great place to keep coming back to just because you can't truly go over everything. Staff is very helpful especially in an overwhelming place like this. read more
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Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG
United Kingdom
Bloomsbury
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The British Museum - museums - Updated May 2026
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