Quick Facts
The British Museum holds 8 million objects spanning 2 million years of human history. Founded 1753, it was the world's first public national museum. Free entry to permanent collection; paid special exhibitions £15-25.
- Address: Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG
- Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn (5 min walk)
- Open: 10am-5pm daily, until 8:30pm Fridays
- Cost: FREE permanent collection · £15-25 special exhibitions
Top 10 Must-See
- Rosetta Stone (Room 4) — the key to deciphering hieroglyphics
- Parthenon Marbles (Room 18) — controversial Greek sculptures from the Acropolis
- Egyptian mummies (Rooms 62-63) — 60+ mummies, including animals
- Lewis Chessmen (Room 40) — 12th-century Norse chess pieces
- Sutton Hoo helmet (Room 41) — Anglo-Saxon ship burial treasure
- Easter Island statue (Room 24) — Hoa Hakananai'a moai
- Aztec turquoise mosaics (Room 27) — double-headed serpent
- Cyrus Cylinder (Room 52) — first declaration of human rights
- Hokusai's Great Wave (Japanese gallery) — when on display
- Reading Room — Karl Marx wrote here; Great Court roof view
Strategy in 2 Hours
- 0-15 min: Great Court + visitor guide pickup
- 15-45 min: Egyptian galleries (ground floor) — Rosetta Stone, statues
- 45-75 min: Egyptian mummies (upper floor)
- 75-105 min: Greek galleries — Parthenon Marbles
- 105-120 min: Anglo-Saxon (Sutton Hoo) + Lewis Chessmen
📍 Free maps: Pick up at the welcome desk. The "Top 12 Objects" trail is perfect for first-timers in 90 minutes.
Free Tours
- "Eye-opener" tours — free 30-40 min talks on specific galleries, every hour 11am-3:45pm
- "Spotlight" tours — free 20 min focus on single object, daily
- Friday evening events — free curator talks, music, late-night galleries
- Self-guided audio app — official British Museum app, £4.99
Tips & Practicalities
- Free cloakroom for bags (no large luggage)
- Court Café and Pizzeria inside; expensive — pop out to Bloomsbury for cheaper eats
- Quietest day: weekday morning. Busiest: Sat/Sun 12-3pm
- Donation suggested £5 — buy from the shop or drop in donation boxes
- Family activities: free kids backpacks, drawer trails, family events Saturdays
- Combine with Russell Square (5 min walk) for a picnic break
⚠️ Repatriation debate: Many objects (Parthenon Marbles, Benin Bronzes) are subject to ongoing repatriation requests. The collection presents these tensions transparently in current displays.