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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 06 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Sarah Barrell

A must-do on every London visitor’s itinerary, the imposing, colonnaded British Museum truly lives up to the hype. One of the oldest museums in the world (established 1753), its enormously rich collection of more than seven million artefacts, many collected and brought back to London from across the world by British explorers and archaeologists during the days of the British Empire.

The ethics may be questionable, but it has ensured thousands of ancient relics that may otherwise have been lost have been safeguarded. Discussions go on about the rights of returning many of these artefacts to their original countries, but for the moment they are still on display to be enjoyed and marvelled at.

The addition in 2000 of a soaring, glass-domed atrium – the Great Court, designed by Norman Foster – brought a dash of contemporary cool to a historic landmark.

Don’t miss

The Rosetta Stone

Dating back to 196 BC, this unique stelae (a slab or column bearing an inscription) gave the first possibility of deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, as the inscription repeated the same words in Ancient Greek, which scholars could understand.

The Elgin Marbles

A spectacular collection of Greek panels and sculptures dating back to 450 BC. Removed from the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens in 1801 by Scottish nobleman, Lord Elgin, ownership of the marbles remains a vexed issue between the UK and Greece.

The Egyptian Galleries

The seven galleries hold a selection of the Museum’s mummies and coffins – the largest collection outside of Cairo. Highlights include the colossal granite head of King Rameses II and the exquisite, gold-lined sarcophagi.

Sutton Hoo collection

Housed in room 41, the artefacts and remains of the Sutton Hoo ship burial date back to Anglo-Saxon times. The Sutton Hoo helmet is one of only four remaining in the world.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The nearest Underground station is Holborn (Central and Piccadilly Lines). Entry is free. The scale and variety of the collections can be overwhelming: see the museum website for suggested one-hour and three-hour routes around it, or highlights for children.

Interactive audio guides bring colour to the main exhibits and tell you the stories behind them. The museum is well equipped for making its exhibits fascinating to children and families, with activity trails, backpacks and multimedia guides.

The Great Court Restaurant, high up beneath the spectacular glass dome, is a treat for lunch or afternoon tea, with set menus inspired by the museum’s exhibitions.

When to do it

The museum is open all year round, daily, usually with later opening hours on Fridays. This is the most visited attraction in the UK, so go at the start of the day, or late on a weekday to avoid the crush.

Late openings on Fridays give you more breathing space. Christmas, Easter and July-August are especially crowded.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Treasure Hunt at the British Museum

Treasure Hunt at the British Museum

London

Who doesn’t want to have some maverick museum fun? Bonus points in our treasure hunts range from scrutiny to silliness: Will your team be wi...

£25 | Rating 4.72 / 5 [11 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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The British Museum London - Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

The British Museum London - Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

London

On this 2.5 hour exclusive guided museum tour, visit one of the world’s largest collections of artifacts at the British Museum. Our engaging...

€94 | Rating 4.95 / 5 [180 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

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The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max

The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max

London

On this 2.5 hour semi-private (8 Guest Maximum) guided museum tour visit one of the world’s largest collections of artifacts at the British ...

€94 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [163 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

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British Museum Highlights Private Tour in London including the Rosetta Stone

British Museum Highlights Private Tour in London including the Rosetta Stone

London

See human history and culture brought to life on a 2.5-hour tour of the British Museum in London! With millions of artifacts spread over 70 ...

£134 | Rating 4.27 / 5 [97 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hazlitt’s Hotel

London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]

One among a smart terrace of Victorian townhouses, set back from the central Soho hustle. It’s a historic, romantic hideaway with heaps of character, right in the heart of Lond’s West End.

Official star rating:

Mimi’s Hotel Soho

London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]

A vibrant, affordable Soho base, with a lively bar that’s ideal for first-timers to the capital, who want to be in the heart of everything.

Official star rating:

The Soho Hotel

London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.8 miles]

Glamorous, sexy, and slick design hotel, with a buzzing bar, private cinema, and celebrity clientele.

Official star rating:

Z Hotel Covent Garden

London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.9 miles]

A sleek, streamlined budget option with an exclusive edge, accessed via a ‘secret’ courtyard just behind Covent Garden Piazza.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

London

Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)

World-class culture, fashion, music, food and history – and a mind-boggling array of bucket list experiences – packed into one extraordinary, incomparable destination. 

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Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Covent Garden

London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]

This iconic and atmospheric West End square has a historic Victorian market building, street performers, restaurants and boutiques.

Best for ages: Any | Free

Royal Opera House

London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.8 miles]

This grand setting in Covent Garden is home to both the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies, and the place for lavish, spectacular performances by the world’s leading singers and dancers.

Best for ages: 18+ | £45 | 1-3 hours

London Transport Museum

London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.9 miles]

Fascinating museum offering an insight into the remarkable transport heritage of the city that pioneered the underground railway. Trains, iconic black cabs, scarlet double-decker buses and more.

Best for ages: 6+ | £20

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Exterior view of the grand building surrounding a large square
Experience

Somerset House

London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]

Famous for its picturesque alfresco ice rink in winter and the Edmund J Safra fountains in the summer, this elegant neoclassical building is also home to an art gallery and upscale restaurant.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Overview >
Exterior view of the Library during the daytime
Experience

British Library

London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]

One of the largest libraries in the world, containing an estimated 170-200 million items. Priceless exhibits include the Magna Carta, Beowulf, Captain Cook’s journal, and the Lindisfarne Gospels.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Overview >

Royal Academy of Arts

London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.4 miles]

An 18th-century mansion of masterpieces sitting pretty on Piccadilly, home to one of Britain’s oldest collections of fine art and regular blockbuster exhibitions.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free