British Museum, London

British Museum, London (must see)

Spanning several miles of galleries and featuring around 80,000 exhibits, the British Museum stands as one of the most comprehensive displays of human culture and history globally. Under its roof, it houses one of the largest collections of antiquities, prints, and drawings, with over 8,000,000 objects and a continuously expanding inventory. Its unparalleled assortment of Roman and Greek art, exceptional Egyptian collection, and captivating treasures from Africa, China, Japan, India, Mesopotamia, Anglo-Saxon, and Roman Britain make it an extraordinary institution.

From a certain perspective, the British Museum represents a repository of artifacts acquired during the peak of the British Empire's influence, often seen as a collection of "plundered goods". The most famous example of this is Lord Elgin's removal of the Elgin Marbles, but numerous other instances of sporadic looting throughout the empire's territories also contributed to the museum's holdings. Additionally, the museum commissioned archaeologists to excavate and acquire classical artifacts.

The museum's origins trace back to the 71,000 curiosities amassed by Hans Sloane, a Chelsea physician. Sloane bequeathed this collection to George II in 1753 for £20,000. When the king couldn't or wouldn't pay, the government reluctantly purchased the collection, establishing the world's first public secular museum, initially housed in a mansion funded by a controversial public lottery. As the collection expanded, a grander space became necessary, resulting in the impressive Greek Revival building that still graces London today. This building, designed by Robert Smirke in the 1820s, features a majestic Ionic colonnade and portico.

Visitors to the British Museum should be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends, as it is a far cry from its modest beginnings. In its early days, the museum was open for just three hours a day, entry required a written application, and tickets were limited to ten per hour for "any person of decent appearance". Today, it can be overwhelming even for the most devoted museum enthusiasts. To make the most of a visit, it is advisable to focus on specific areas of interest, explore the highlights, or participate in one of the museum's excellent free guided tours of individual rooms.

Why You Should Visit:
Home of the Rosetta Stone, ancient Egyptian artifacts, Roman statuary and much, much more.

Tips:
Arriving early is a wise strategy to avoid the crowds.
There are two entrances: the primary entrance at the front, and a secondary one at the rear, which tends to have fewer visitors.
Visiting the exhibits inside the museum requires an admission fee, but entry to the museum itself is free of charge.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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British Museum on Map

Sight Name: British Museum
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper, an unidentified serial killer who terrorized the British capital in 1888, became notorious for the series of brutal and gruesome murders that he carried out in the East End of London. The primary setting for the Jack the Ripper attacks was Whitechapel, at the time a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden district, known for its dark alleys and narrow streets.

The name "Jack the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour II

Harry Potter Walking Tour II

The arrival of Harry Potter books, followed by tremendously successful Hollywood adaptation, has made London an even more popular destination now with the Harry Potter fans all over the world. The list of attractions in the city associated with Potter’s journeys includes both, newly-invented as well as some long-standing locations.

On Part II of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour

Covent Garden Walking Tour

A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market – currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.

Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Beatles London Walking Tour

Beatles London Walking Tour

Perhaps one of the most famed and influential bands of all time, whose music has transcended generations, The Beatles continues to be a source of entertainment many decades after the group was formed (1960) and split up (1970).

"The Fab Four" – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – all came from Liverpool, but London was indeed their home-base. As the...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Jane Austen’s London

Jane Austen’s London

The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham’s elopement in “Pride & Prejudice.”

One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Walk around Buckingham Palace

Walk around Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...