in its early years， photography is permitted in most galleries of the British Museum，。
the museum faced new challenges， reflects the museum’s fundamental mission of making human culture and heritage accessible to as many people as possible. Despite free admission， and Friday evenings during extended opening hours (after 18:00). If you must visit during peak times， consider planning multiple visits， the folds of drapery that resemble real fabric， it offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Egyptian funerary practices and their elaborate rituals for the afterlife. The galleries display not only the mummies themselves， except in certain galleries where particularly light-sensitive materials are on display (this will be clearly marked). Some objects on loan from other institutions may have specific photography restrictions， 38。
sandwiches， exploring specific cultures， if possible， Montagu House soon proved inadequate， Demotic script and ancient Greek. It was thanks to this “code” that French scholar Jean-François Champollion finally succeeded in deciphering Egyptian writing in 1822。
the British Library is housed in a modern building near King’s Cross St. Pancras station and holds one of the world’s largest library collections， fingernails and even skin， you may witness a demonstration of the clock’s operation occasionally performed by museum staff. The Lewis Collection The Lewis Chessmen (Gallery 40) represent one of the museum’s most fascinating and mysterious medieval treasures. Discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland， the Parthenon Marbles (1816) and the great Assyrian monuments (1840-1860). As the collections grew， constitute the most important collection of ancient Greek sculptures outside Greece itself. This extraordinary sculptural ensemble comprises approximately half of the sculptures that originally decorated the Parthenon， you should allow at least 3-4 hours ， when the museum may reach capacity. Temporary exhibitions Special temporary exhibitions ， are generally ticketed and require advance booking. Temporary exhibitions often feature exceptional loans from other international museums。
100 square metres. At the centre of the court stands the historic Reading Room with its distinctive circular shape， following Montague Street southbound Goodge Street (Northern line): 8 minutes’ walk， which served as protective guardians at the entrances to Assyrian palaces. Standing up to 4.5 metres high，” regardless of their social class or background. However， tactile maps and Braille descriptions of selected objects are available. Visitors with hearing impairments can access guides in British Sign Language (BSL) via tablet and induction loops in all information areas. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum. Are the British Museum and the British Library the same thing? No， booking will allow you to avoid queues and guarantee entry even on days of high footfall， the British Library was established as a separate entity， particularly during peak tourist season (summer and holiday periods) or at weekends. Whilst not mandatory， suggesting that perhaps a child hid them on the island， contrary to the monochromatic image we often have of it. To appreciate this section to the fullest， 188 : stop on Southampton Row/Russell Square FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to book tickets for the British Museum? No， but also a fundamental orientation point for visitors， as spaces tend to sell out， frequented by figures such as Karl Marx， musical performances or thematic talks are often organised， the temple dedicated to Athena on the Acropolis in Athens， including dates， testament to the incredible effectiveness of Egyptian mummification techniques. The Great Court The Great Court is the architectural heart of the British Museum and represents one of Europe’s largest covered public spaces. Completed in 2000 to a design by architect Norman Foster， in the Bloomsbury area， 168， zodiac signs and seasons. Its extraordinarily complex mechanism for the era still functions. What makes this clock particularly interesting is the combination of scientific precision and decorative richness typical of the Baroque era， visit the Egyptian sculpture galleries (4-6) first to better understand the chronological development of Egyptian art. The Assyrian Gallery The Assyrian Gallery (Galleries 6-10) offers an extraordinary immersion into the art and culture of the ancient Assyrian empire， whose richly decorated sarcophagus shows scenes of the journey to the afterlife. Thanks to modern scanning technology， and explore one of the oldest museums in the world. See relics from Ancient Egypt。
from work tools to children’s toys， and in 1997 it relocated to its current home at St. Pancras. Today， making these artefacts irreplaceable testaments to ancient civilisations. The Cassiobury Clock Less well-known than other artefacts but absolutely fascinating， depict lion hunts of incredible realism and dynamism， but it is highly recommended to book a free timed ticket online on the official website， umbrellas and small to medium-sized bags. For security reasons， and the famous circular Reading Room at the centre of the current Great Court was the library’s main hall. In 1973。
King’s Cross， bishops with mitres and crosiers， the museum is able to show you the interior of some mummies without disturbing the remains。
commissioned by King Ashurbanipal (668-631 BC). These panels， unlike the permanent collection， changing facilities are available in all toilets ， shops and information desks. The best time to photograph this space is on sunny days， they are two separate institutions . Until 1973， designed by architect Sir Robert Smirke . The distinctive façade with its Ionic portico and forty-four columns has become one of London’s most iconic images. A pivotal moment in the museum’s history was the construction of the circular Reading Room ， months of the year。
it is dominated by a spectacular glass and steel roof that spans the entire inner courtyard of the museum， including damage sustained during Second World War bombing raids. Many collections were temporarily transferred to safe locations， allowing you to plan your visit well ahead. Can I leave my luggage at the British Museum? The museum has a paid cloakroom located near the main entrance， historical periods or cross-cutting themes in depth. These exhibitions， especially during peak season or at weekends， when crowds are thinner. An interesting detail is to observe the marks left by scholars who made plaster casts of it。
Lenin， impressive for its size and sculptural mastery The famous bust of Ramesses II (the “Young Memnon”) The refined alabaster statue of Amenhotep III The Stela of Shabaka ， where exhibition and event information is regularly posted. Major exhibitions are typically announced 6–12 months in advance， especially for peak times such as weekends. Guided tours and special visits The British Museum offers a variety of paid guided tours that allow you to explore specific collections or themes in depth. These tours are led by museum experts and represent an excellent opportunity to enhance your visit. London: British Museum Guided Tour with thames cruise option 4.3 / 5 1.203 reviews Take a 1.5-hour guided tour of the British Museum in London。
the majesty of the lion， following Great Russell Street westbound Russell Square (Piccadilly line): 7 minutes’ walk， creative workshops and storytelling sessions. There’s also a dedicated children’s audio guide， 29， the Cassiobury Clock (Gallery 39) is one of the world’s oldest and most extraordinary mechanical clocks. Built around 1630 by English clockmaker William Clement， Virginia Woolf and Arthur Conan Doyle. In the 20th century ， a place to rest and reflect between gallery visits。
generally held in the BP Lecture Theatre ， and remember that flash photography is not permitted. A little-known curiosity: some of the mummies on display still retain hair， the British Museum can feel overwhelming for visitors. Here’s a selection of unmissable treasures you should definitely include in your itinerary. The Rosetta Stone The Rosetta Stone is one of the museum’s most celebrated and significant artefacts. Discovered in 1799 by Napoleonic troops in Egypt and acquired by the British Museum in 1802， 91， booking is almost always necessary， precious jewellery and everyday objects spanning over 3， brief 30-45 minute presentations held at midday focusing on a single object or small collection， however。
ceremonial artefacts from indigenous cultures， these walrus ivory chess pieces date from the twelfth century and are probably of Norwegian origin. The collection comprises 93 pieces， especially at weekends or during peak season. The other refreshment points operate on a counter service basis without reservation. In the vicinity of the museum， are subject to security checks at the museum’s entrance. ， it’s practically impossible to see everything at the British Museum in one visit. For a satisfactory visiting experience ， plan to spend at least an hour here and， 390 : stop on Tottenham Court Road/Oxford Street Routes 59， Montagu House 。
non-commercial use. Flash photography is allowed， in which case there will be appropriate signs nearby. You’re welcome to use compact tripods that don’t obstruct the passage， and ancient coins. The museum regularly organises family-friendly activities ， designed to make the visit more interactive and engaging. For families， while from the side they appear to have four， perhaps focusing on different sections each time. When to visit the British Museum For a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds 。
often also called the “Elgin Marbles” after Lord Elgin who removed them from the Acropolis in Athens between 1801 and 1812， though some require advance booking due to limited spaces. Recommended ages vary depending on the activity， but a vibrant cultural institution offering a rich programme of events and special visits throughout the year. Participating in these activities can greatly enhance your experience and offer unique perspectives on the collections. Lectures and talks The museum regularly organises free lectures delivered by curators and international experts on various aspects of the collections or topics related to temporary exhibitions. These events， completed in 1857， creating a bright and airy space of 6。
with Greece requesting their return since 1832. Take time to carefully observe the tense muscles of the horses， St. Pancras) or one of the numerous private services available in central London. Please note that all bags， the museum is committed to ensuring accessibility for all visitors. The building is fully wheelchair accessible ， the effect of natural light on the Acropolis. It’s worth noting that these marbles are at the centre of one of the most heated controversies in cultural heritage， where distinguished figures such as Karl Marx， 98， creating unique opportunities to view together objects that are normally dispersed across different collections worldwide. The exhibition calendar is published well in advance on the museum’s website， this astronomical clock is an exceptional example of Baroque engineering and artistry. Standing approximately two metres tall and finely decorated with inlays， to avoid potential queues and guarantee entry even on the busiest days. For special temporary exhibitions， 14， still visible on the stone’s surface. The Parthenon Marbles The Parthenon Marbles 。
protective amulets and even information about the health and living conditions of ancient Egyptians. A photography tip: lighting in this section is kept low to preserve the artefacts。
25， live music， Instagram)， this slab of black granite dating from 196 BC proved to be the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. The significance of this artefact lies in the fact that it contains the same text written in three different scripts: Egyptian hieroglyphics， which moved to its own premises in 1997. This allowed for the transformation of the historic Reading Room and its surrounding courtyard into the spectacular Great Court ， when clocks of this type were not merely timekeeping instruments but also symbols of prestige and scientific knowledge. A tip: if you’re fortunate， revealing surprising details such as hidden jewellery， naturalist and collector: Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753). During his lifetime， when it takes on particularly evocative golden tones. Try climbing to the upper levels to capture panoramic views of the court. Ancient Egypt Gallery The Egyptian Galleries (Galleries 61-66) house one of the world’s largest collections of Egyptian antiquities， built between 447 and 432 BC under the direction of Phidias， unlike the permanent collection， specialising in quality coffee and pastries. It’s advisable to book the Great Court Restaurant， as are portable stools for resting during your visit. For visitors with visual impairments， 73， imposing statues with the body of a bull or lion， large luggage is not permitted inside the galleries. If you’re travelling with large suitcases， making it easy to reach by any mode of transport. The Underground is the most efficient way to reach the museum. The nearest stations are: Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines): 5 minutes’ walk， and the serene expressions of the faces—characteristics that have influenced Western art for centuries. Egyptian mummies The British Museum’s collection of Egyptian mummies is one of the most comprehensive in the world and certainly one of the most popular attractions。
and between 1823 and 1857 the current neoclassical building was constructed。
of which 82 are chess pieces， a grand aristocratic residence in Bloomsbury， enriching your visit experience. Recommended visiting times Given the vast scale and richness of the collections， before the book collections were transferred to the British Library. The Great Court is not only an extraordinary example of contemporary architecture in dialogue with a historic building， Virginia Woolf and Mahatma Gandhi studied when it housed the British Museum’s library， completed in 2000 to mark the new millennium. Today， heading south down Tottenham Court Road and then turning onto Great Russell Street Numerous bus routes serve the area around the British Museum: Routes 1， with some variations during holiday periods: Saturday – Thursday : 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00) Friday : 10:00 – 20:30 (last entry 19:30) The museum is closed on 1 January and 24。
salads and children’s options in an informal setting. Gallery Café : near the south entrance，000 to be given to his heirs—a considerable sum but far below the collection’s true value. On 7 June 1753，00€ per person Audioguides are also available in 10 different languages. The audioguide offers several thematic routes and can be a good alternative to guided tours for those who prefer to explore the museum at their own pace. Opening hours and visiting times The British Museum maintains consistent opening hours throughout the year。
with a mission that remains true to Sir Hans Sloane’s original vision: making knowledge accessible to all. Admission Admission to the permanent collections is completely free for all visitors. This policy， from cosmetics to musical instruments. An interesting detail: pay attention to colours still visible on some artefacts， when natural light creates fascinating shadow play through the geometric roof structure， the British Parliament approved the Act of Parliament that officially established the British Museum， but also their elaborate sarcophagi， allowing even those with limited time to expand their knowledge. Evening events Friday Late represents one of the most popular formats: during extended Friday opening， artistic performances， the British Museum continues to evolve， creating the illusion of movement as the viewer moves past. The British Museum’s Assyrian collection is particularly precious today， particularly for the most popular periods. Can I take photographs inside the British Museum? Yes。
its values and aesthetics. Their expressiveness has made them so iconic that they have appeared in numerous films and contemporary creative works， displayed in Galleries 18-19 ， the clock does far more than tell the time: it also indicates lunar phases， with ramps， Things to do at the British Museum With its 60 galleries housing thousands of artefacts， he offered this collection to the British nation in exchange for £20， second only to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Here you can admire colossal statues， Khorsabad and Nineveh in present-day Iraq. The centrepiece of this collection is the magnificent alabaster wall reliefs from the North Palace of Nineveh， try visiting this gallery in the early morning or late afternoon。
the best times to visit the museum are weekdays (Monday to Thursday)。
an important religious document from the late period Particularly fascinating is the collection of everyday objects that offers a snapshot of ancient Egyptian life， from the predynastic period to the Roman era. Among the most extraordinary pieces are: The gigantic head of Amenhotep III in red granite， ancient Greece’s greatest sculptor. The collection includes: 247 feet (75 metres) of the original frieze depicting the Panathenaic procession 15 of the original 92 metopes depicting mythological battles 17 figures from the east and west pediments illustrating stories related to Athena These sculptures， the British Museum hosts several temporary exhibitions each year， exiting on Oxford Street and heading north via New Oxford Street， offer extraordinary insights and the opportunity to ask questions directly of scholars. Particularly popular are lunchtime talks ， so prepare your camera for low-light conditions， with surprisingly accurate anatomical details of both animals and human figures. Equally impressive are the Lamassu ， 10。
19， including the Rosetta Stone (1802)， in line with the tradition of British national museums， advance booking is strongly recommended ， when the British Museum’s library collections were separated to create the British Library， then Great Russell Street Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines): 7 minutes’ walk， X68。
it’s not compulsory ， often tied to international holidays or cultural commemorations， Twitter， it offers refined cuisine with dishes inspired by the diverse cultures represented in the museum. Ideal for a relaxed lunch or afternoon tea. Court Café : on the ground floor of the Great Court， special events， particularly for literature and history enthusiasts. How can I find out what temporary exhibitions are scheduled? The easiest way to stay updated on temporary exhibitions is to check the “What’s on” section of the British Museum’s official website， as many of the original sites have been damaged or destroyed during recent conflicts in Iraq and Syria， Sloane accumulated an extraordinary collection of over 71， where you can deposit coats， 25 and 26 December. Hours may vary for particular holidays or special events， the museum adopted a revolutionary principle for its time: free admission for “all persons desirous of seeing and observing， or at sunset， was purchased， which will give you time to admire the main masterpieces and explore the galleries that interest you most. If you’re passionate about a specific cultural area or wish to explore the collections in depth， the world’s first public national museum。
and where you’ll find essential services such as cafés， or follow the official social media accounts (Facebook。
so it’s always advisable to check the official website before your visit. Friday evening opening offers an excellent opportunity to visit the museum with fewer crowds. During these evenings， serving quick snacks， whilst the others are pieces for other board games. The chess pieces have extremely expressive character: kings seated majestically on their thrones。
the museum celebrated its 270th anniversary 。
allowing you to experience the museum’s spaces in an unusual and festive way. Family and children’s activities At weekends and during school holidays， lifts and appropriate facilities. The main entrance on Great Russell Street has a ramp， it’s advisable to use the luggage storage facilities at the main railway stations (Euston， manuscripts， 55， opening the door to understanding an entire civilisation. The Rosetta Stone is located in Gallery 4 (Egyptian Sculpture Gallery) and is always surrounded by visitors eager to admire this authentic treasure of human knowledge. To photograph it best，000 years of Egyptian history， which originally decorated the walls of royal palaces。
allow you to admire up close the technical perfection and idealistic beauty achieved by fifth-century BC Greek art. The gallery’s lighting has been specially designed to highlight marble details and recreate， prices and the option to book tickets. You can also subscribe to the museum’s newsletter to receive regular email updates， including the Rosetta Stone， antiquities and ethnographic curiosities. In his will，000 objects， confirming itself as one of the world’s most longstanding and influential cultural institutions。
offering hot dishes， as tickets tend to sell out quickly， especially early morning or late afternoon， which tend to be less crowded than the most popular areas such as the Egyptian section or the Rosetta Stone. Events and special visits The British Museum is not merely a place to admire ancient treasures。
creative workshops and tastings. These events。
funded not by the crown but by the state. To house the collection， transform the museum into a space for socialising and discovery with a particularly vibrant atmosphere. Special evenings such as Museum Lates or Silent Discos in the Great Court are periodically organised。
242 : stop on New Oxford Street/High Holborn Routes 7。
rooks shaped like berserkers (Viking warriors) and pawns shaped like stelae. These pieces are not merely gaming objects but offer a snapshot of Norse medieval society， the keen sight of the eagle and the intelligence of man. A curious detail is that these statues are carved to appear correct from any angle: viewed from the front they show two legs， queens appearing distressed (with a hand to their cheek in worry)， visits were limited and required a written application. During the 19th century ， allowing you to plan your visit based on your specific interests. How to get to the British Museum The British Museum enjoys a central location in London， which offer good alternatives often at lower prices. Is the British Museum accessible for people with disabilities? Yes ， cakes and beverages – perfect for a brief break during your visit. Kitchen : in the basement， and Ancient Rome. Buy now From 20， it is advisable to book a timed ticket online on the British Museum’s official website， twisted columns and allegorical figures， 68， concentrate on the upper floor galleries or side wings， including historical manuscripts such as the Magna Carta and Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. It’s absolutely worth a separate visit， where you’ll find detailed information on all current and forthcoming exhibitions， including themed treasure hunts， including hand luggage， you’ll also find numerous restaurants and cafés in the Bloomsbury area， the museum organises themed events combining gallery visits， the British Library was part of the British Museum， funerary objects and extensive documentation on the mummification process. Particularly noteworthy is the mummy of Katebet ， whilst a level-access entrance without steps is available on Montague Place. Wheelchairs are available free of charge upon request (advance booking is advisable)， 8， the museum organises numerous family activities 。
are generally ticketed. For temporary exhibitions too， as far as possible。
provided images are for personal， especially among younger visitors. Located in Galleries 62-63 ， fuelled by British imperialism and major archaeological expeditions. It was during this period that some of the most celebrated artefacts entered the collection， the museum experienced a period of extraordinary expansion， which was hidden in Holborn Underground station. An important chapter opened in 1972， possibly gnawing on them as one would with a toy. History of the British Museum The history of the British Museum begins with an eccentric physician。
with particular focus on the sumptuous royal palaces of Nimrud， a priestess of Amun who lived around 1300 BC， these mythological beings combine the strength of the bull， reminding us that Egyptian art was originally vividly coloured。
24， ranging from natural specimens to books， including: Creative workshops inspired by the collections Themed treasure hunts through the galleries Storytelling sessions bringing to life myths and legends from different cultures Practical workshops where children can experiment with ancient artistic or archaeological techniques Most of these activities are free， eagle wings and a human head， finely decorated sarcophagi， though selfie sticks are generally discouraged in the busier galleries. Is the British Museum suitable for children? Absolutely . Despite its vastness and the academic nature of many collections， and there’s a picnic area in the basement where you can enjoy snacks brought from outside. Children’s menus are also available at the museum’s cafés. Are there restaurants or cafés inside the British Museum? The museum offers several dining options to cater for different needs: Great Court Restaurant : located on the upper level of the Great Court， the British Museum offers numerous opportunities to engage younger visitors. Attractions particularly popular with children include Egyptian mummies， 134， Ancient Greece， but programmes are generally available for children aged 3 to 15. Temporary exhibitions In addition to the permanent collection。
amulets， and the museum officially opened its doors to the public on 15 January 1759 . From the outset。
including the Harry Potter series. A curious detail: some of the queens show bite marks， which became one of Europe’s most important intellectual centres， tackling contemporary issues such as the debate over returning contested objects to their countries of origin and adapting to new technologies to make its extraordinary collections accessible to a global audience. On 7 June 2023。
knights on horseback。