British Museum, National museum in Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom.
Description
The British Museum is a national museum in Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom, holding several million historical objects from around the world. The collections span numerous galleries within a large neoclassical building whose front is lined with columns and whose layout centers on an indoor courtyard covered by a glass roof.
History
The institution opened to the public in 1759, built on the collection of Sir Hans Sloane that had been bequeathed to the state. Over the following centuries, the building was expanded and reshaped to accommodate a growing inventory fed by donations and acquisitions from many countries.
Culture
Visitors gather in the galleries to see objects used by people thousands of years ago, from everyday tools to ceremonial sculptures that once shaped beliefs and rituals. School groups, families, and travelers move between rooms, often pausing before displays to read about distant civilizations or photograph pieces they want to remember.
Practical
Admission is free every day, though some temporary exhibitions may charge a fee. The building has lifts, ramps, and accessible restrooms for wheelchair users, and audio guides and maps are available at the entrance to help orient yourself among the galleries.
Did you know?
The Great Court spans over two acres under a glass canopy completed in 2000, forming one of the largest covered public spaces in Europe. The steel structure of the roof weighs more than eight hundred tons and rests on a circular Reading Room rotunda that is visible from the surrounding floor.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (London Borough of Camden).
London opens its big museums for free to families. The Natural History Museum shows its dinosaur skeletons and its blue whale hanging in the main hall. The Science Museum has rockets, steam engines, and hands-on experiments. The British Museum displays Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures in its...
Elgin Marbles
98 m
British Museum Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan
56 m
Queen Elizabeth II Great Court
0 m
Montagu House
14 m
Shabaka Stone
82 m
Secretum
50 m
Museum Tavern
158 m
Obelisks of Nectanebo II
0 m
Rondanini Faun
7 m
British Museum Reading Room
0 m
Building of the British Museum
1 m
King Edward VII Galleries
104 m
Numbers 12-29 And Attached Railings Including Montague Hotel (Numbers 12-20)
127 m
43-48, Great Russell Street
163 m
Numbers 1-11 And Attached Railings Including White Hall Hotel (Numbers 2-5) And Montague House (Numbers 8-11)
93 m
Numbers 89, 90 And 91 And Attached Railings
162 mNumber 30 And Attached Railings And Lamps
94 m
Pair Of K6 Telephone Kiosks Next To The Western Stone Pier On Front Boundary Railings
150 m
Iron Gates Between Numbers 20 And 21 Leading To Rear Garden
116 m
Numbers 38-43 And Attached Railings
126 m
Eighteen Lamp Posts On The Forecourt Of The British Museum
120 m
Pair Of K6 Telephone Kiosks Flanking Side Entrance Piers And Gates
114 m
Main Entrance Gateway, Railings And Attached Lodges To The British Museum
134 m
Pair Of K6 Telephone Kiosks Flanking Eastern Stone Pier To Front Boundary Railings
147 m
Numbers 24-60 And Attached Railings
151 m
Numbers 1-10 And Attached Railings
138 m
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd
125 mVisionary BritMuseum
156 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
A significant museum where one can see the famous Rosetta Stone that enabled Champollion to read hieroglyphs!
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes