See the development of human culture on every continent from prehistory to the present at The British Museum. The museum houses one of the largest collections of works in the world, some 8 million. You'll encounter many significant items here, including the Rosetta Stone, the Magna Carta, and the Parthenon Frieze. The museum is broken into various departments, each covering a specific place and time, such as ancient Egypt and Sudan, or a theme, such as coins and medals. The works cover a broad spectrum of styles, from ancient carvings, sculptures, stoneware, and gold metalwork to prints and drawings from famous Renaissance artists. You won't have time to cover all the museum's collections in a single visit, so you should choose subjects that interest you and focus on them. A map of the museum helps you navigate efficiently. Pick up a copy at an information point inside, or download a digital one to your smartphone or tablet ahead of time. If you're not sure which galleries to visit, you can join a highlights tour. Departing twice a day every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, these guided tours show you the museum's most important pieces. Book this tour online or at the information desk in the front court. If specific galleries interest you, try to catch one of the free daily Eye-Opener tours. Galleries host one of these 30- to 40-minute tours per day, giving you a deeper historical understanding of specific periods and regions. Arrange to visit The British Museum and other attractions in London using our London trip tool.
Create an itinerary including The British Museum
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
The British Museum reviews
-
Truly astounding collections. The BM is a required part of my annual London sojourn. I recommend it to friends, even if they will be in London only a few days. more »
-
You'd be a fool to pass up one of the humanity's greatest museums, filled with wonders from every era and every corner of the world. There is truly something for everyone here! more »
-
Great Museum with stolen monuments from all over the world.... The audio guide was very helpful for my visit here. I spent whole day here to explore. It is huge, so better to decide in advance which items you would look. That is quite efficient if not you will be lost in the museum.. Good luck!
-
Wonderful collections from everywhere (even isolated Mexican American Tribes). Nice to see the variety of finds. Nicely labeled and investigated. The Chinese section had many modern pieces, which would be more 'art museum' pieces, and not history, but the rest was spot on. More restrooms would be nice, and the upper levels get very warm. It's better to visit during the week, wouldn't recommend weekends, too many people.
Plan your trip to London
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesBook it
Choose from the best hotels
and activities. Up to 50% offManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in London
Museums in London
Kid-friendly things to do in London
Hidden gems in London
Side trips from London
Nearby attractions in London
Trips to The British Museum by other users
9 days in London
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Tower Bridge
Coca-Cola London Eye
Houses of Parliament
52 days in United Kingdom
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Wells
Newton Abbot
Lyme Regis
60 days in London
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
East London Wine School
Brick Lane Music Hall
Old Spitalfields Market
23 days in Western Europe
BY FRUGAL FIRST CLASS TRAVEL
Berlin
Amsterdam
Brussels
10 days in United Kingdom
BY A USER FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
London
Windermere
Cockermouth
11 days in United Kingdom
BY A USER FROM INDIA
London
Birmingham
Manchester