iBritish Museum
The British Museum holds over eight million objects spanning the entire history of human civilisation. The Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, Egyptian mummies — it's the kind of place where you turn a corner and stumble into a room that would be a standalone national treasure anywhere else. Overwhelming in scale, endlessly rewarding if you pick your battles.
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What's On
Declaring Independence: USA 250
Marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, this Room 3 display uncovers the Indigenous and global histories behind the founding of the United States through treaties, diplomatic gifts and resistance.
The Bayeux Tapestry
The 70-metre tapestry depicting the 1066 Norman invasion, shown in the UK for the first time in almost 1,000 years.
Korea
Two thousand years of Korean creativity in sculpture, painting and decorative arts, from around 300 BC to today, the most comprehensive survey seen in Europe in 40 years.
Multiplied wonders: Italian Renaissance woodcuts
The first display devoted to Italian Renaissance woodcuts, from early devotional prints to chiaroscuro designs by Titian and Parmigianino, in Rooms 90 and 90a.
Permanent Collections
Clocks & Watches Gallery
Seven centuries of timekeeping, from medieval cathedral clocks to jewelled pocket watches, one of the world's finest horological collections.
Asia Galleries
China, South Asia, Japan, and Southeast Asia across multiple galleries, from Tang dynasty sculpture to the Japanese sword and lacquerware collections.
Ancient Greece & Rome Galleries
The Parthenon sculptures, the Portland Vase, and masterworks of classical antiquity across 20 rooms spanning Greek and Roman civilisation.
Medieval Europe & Sutton Hoo
The iconic Sutton Hoo helmet, the Lewis Chessmen, and treasures from Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and medieval European cultures.
Africa, Oceania & the Americas
The Sainsbury Africa Galleries plus rooms dedicated to North America, Mexico, and Oceania: extraordinary cultural diversity from four continents.
Enlightenment Gallery
Room 1 recreates the original 18th-century museum: a cabinet of curiosity on a grand scale, revealing how the Enlightenment shaped how we collect and classify the world.
Ancient Egypt Galleries
Mummies, sarcophagi, the Rosetta Stone, and the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities outside Cairo, spanning 5,000 years.
Middle East & The Islamic World
Assyrian lion hunts in carved relief, the Cyrus Cylinder, and the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world: 6,000 years of Near Eastern history.
Plan Your Visit
Getting there
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and Russell Square
Show on mapHours
| Mon | 10:00–17:00 |
| Tue | 10:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–20:30 |
| SatToday | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Admission
Free
Special exhibitions require paid tickets
Accessibility
Step-free access to most galleries. Wheelchairs available free of charge. BSL tours and audio description guides available.
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Visitor Information
- Is British Museum free to visit?
- Yes, general admission to British Museum is free. Special exhibitions require paid tickets. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
- What are the opening hours of British Museum?
- British Museum is open Daily 10:00–17:00, Fri until 20:30. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is British Museum?
- British Museum is located at Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, in the Bloomsbury area of London. The nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and Russell Square.
- What can I see at British Museum?
- Two million years of human history under one roof, and it's free. Current highlights include Multiplied wonders: Italian Renaissance woodcuts, Korea and Clocks & Watches Gallery.
- Do I need to book British Museum in advance?
- British Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Special exhibitions require paid tickets. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
- When is the best time to visit British Museum?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
- Is British Museum accessible?
- Step-free access to most galleries. Wheelchairs available free of charge. BSL tours and audio description guides available.
Image credits
17
- British MuseumHam / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Multiplied wonders: Italian Renaissance woodcutsCourtesy of British Museum
- KoreaCourtesy of British Museum
- Clocks & Watches GalleryCourtesy of British Museum
- The Bayeux TapestryCourtesy of British Museum
- Asia GalleriesCourtesy of British Museum
- Ancient Greece & Rome GalleriesCourtesy of British Museum
- Medieval Europe & Sutton HooCourtesy of British Museum
- Africa, Oceania & the AmericasCourtesy of British Museum
- Enlightenment GalleryCourtesy of British Museum
- Ancient Egypt GalleriesCourtesy of British Museum
- Middle East & The Islamic WorldCourtesy of British Museum
- Declaring Independence: USA 250Courtesy of British Museum
- Sir John Soane's MuseumSarah Smith / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Wellcome CollectionOsama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- London Transport MuseumColin Park / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- The Photographers' GalleryThe wub / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0