The British Museum is probably one of the sites not to be missed when you are in London.
There’s a reason it’s the UK’s most visited tourist attraction – it has an astonishing collection of objects dating back thousands of years from all over the world. Plus, it probably doesn’t hurt that the price is right (always free entry).
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But with nearly 7 million visitors visiting the museum each year, it can get a little hectic. Here are seven British Museum tips to make the most of your visit.
1. Try to avoid rush hours
Okay, let’s be real: the British Museum will never be the quietest place in London. However, you can visit when it’s a little quieter. Try to arrive for the 10 a.m. opening, or come later on a Friday, when the museum closes at 8:30 p.m. Check out what special temporary exhibits are on display – if it’s a very popular exhibit, the museum is particularly full for the exhibition. opening or closing weeks.
Don’t be tempted to book your trip for a rainy day: the museum is busiest when the weather is bad outside. Instead, approach it on a sunnier day: the sun shining through the glass roof of the Great Court means the museum is at its most beautiful and peaceful.
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The Parthenon sculptures are one of the British Museum’s biggest attractions. Photo: Bram S.
2. Tackle the big ones first
You walk through the gate for the first time at 10 a.m. and your goal is to get to the big sights before anyone else. First, the Rosetta Stone, the discovery that led to a breakthrough in the understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphics. It’s in Room 4, the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery, on the ground floor, just off the Great Courtyard.
Continue through the galleries to reach Room 18, where the Parthenon sculptures are on display. Also known as the Elgin Marbles, they were originally part of the Parthenon in Athens and were removed and transported to Britain in the early 19th century. Debate continues over whether these objects should be kept in the British Museum or returned to Greece. Decide for yourself before heading up to Floor 70 to get a taste of Rome and the Portland Vase, the cameo glass vase that has inspired generations of designers, poets and scholars.
If you’re feeling brave and still ahead of the crowd, rooms 62 and 63 display some of the ancient Egyptian collection, including the mummies. Finally, we go back down to Room 24, the “Living and Dying” gallery, which houses Hoa Hakananai’a, an imposing statue of Easter Island. Then return to the Great Court and treat yourself to a cup of tea and a slice of cake from the café: you deserve it.
3. Prepare in advance
This brief visit only scratches the surface of the enormous amount that the British Museum has to offer. There is an excellent podcast that uses around 100 objects from the museum to tell the story of the world. Listen before your visit to be inspired.
Although entry to the museum and permanent exhibitions is completely free, special exhibitions require a fee. Save time by booking your tickets online. You will receive a timed ticket, so you won’t have to waste time waiting in line once inside the museum.
4. Don’t Overlook Lesser-Known Galleries
The British Museum has beautiful and fascinating objects from around the world. So it’s rewarding to spend time in some of the less famous galleries. After the crowds that fill the Egyptian galleries, the Japanese galleries offer a more serene atmosphere to appreciate the beauty of their objects. Although the British Museum is not as well known for its fine art as other London galleries, the prints and drawings galleries still feature wonderful examples by undisputed masters of the medium.
The huge central hall of the British Museum with a giant glass roof. Photo: Spiros
5. Take your time
Entrance to the British Museum is free, so don’t feel like you have to do it all in one go. You can spread your visit over several mornings or go out for some fresh air and a change of scenery if the crowds and all the culture become a little overwhelming. There are many fantastic (and affordable) places nearby to grab a meal or a drink.
6. …Or see everything in 90 minutes
If you’re pressed for time, the British Museum offers a fantastic introductory tour of its collections called ‘Around the World in 90 Minutes’, which takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It does exactly what it claims to do, admiring the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures, as well as lesser-known wonders along the way, and only taking up an hour and a half of your precious time. Tickets cost £14 and you can book in advance on the museum’s website.
7. Consider becoming a member
If you’re a culture enthusiast and plan to stay in London for longer than a short stay, it’s probably worth becoming a museum member. The cost starts at £74 for a one-year subscription (£54 if you’re under 26). Benefits include a dedicated cloakroom (so no waiting to drop off bags or umbrellas) and free, unlimited entry to all special exhibitions as well as special parties and events. Learn more here.
The British Museum
Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8:30 p.m. Friday)
Website
Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square or Goodge Street
