The British Museum is a treasure trove of history, culture, and art. It houses a vast collection of ancient artefacts as well as some contemporary art. As the oldest museum in Europe, it’s a place where you can explore the evolution of human civilization from its earliest beginnings to present-day culture.
Originally established in 1753 and situated in Bloomsbury, London, its collection spans five continents and includes everything from Egyptian mummies to Greek pottery. Visiting the British Museum is both an educational experience and a one-of-a-kind cultural experience that offers insight into how the world has developed and changed over time.
The British Museum has currently been separated into different galleries, each of which is organised based on a specific time in history, country, or location around the world. Some of the must-see notable points of interest within the museum include the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian Mummies, the Parthenon Sculptures, the Lindow Man, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
How to Book Tickets on Official Website
If you are looking to reserve your space beforehand at the British Museum, then you can follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Begin the ticket booking process by first heading over to the official website here.
- On the landing page, click on the option “Book Tickets.”
- A new web page will open where you will have to choose the month and date of your visit. Once selected, you will be required to select the time of your visit.
- After that, you have to choose the type of ticket you want. Since admission inside the museum is free, you can choose to donate some amount of your choice if you want. Donations can range from 5 to 20 British Pounds. Once done, click on “Book Now.”
- On the subsequent page, you will be shown your order summary, and then you can proceed to “Checkout.” On checking out, you will be required to either log in to your existing account, make a new account, or continue with a guest account.
- Whatever option you decide to choose, you will be required to enter your contact and billing information. Payment can be made using major debit or credit cards.
- Finally, you can complete your order by transacting the order online, and your ticket(s) will be mailed to the email address you provided. You can then either choose to print them or show them in digital format via your smartphone during entry.
Note that all ticket sales are final. British Museum does not offer exchanges or refunds for tickets. If you have any further queries, you can contact the customer support at +44 (0)20 7323 8000.
How to Reach the British Museum
Reaching the British Museum is easy, as you can either travel via metro, train, or bus. When travelling by metro, the nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road and Holborn. On the other hand, when travelling by train, the nearest station is Euston. Also, some of the notable bus routes that you can take are 1, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, and 98.
It should be known that the museum can get busy during the afternoon, so try to reach your destination as early as you can. A full tour of the museum will roughly take around four hours to complete. So, ensure that you have enough time on your hands when visiting the British Museum; otherwise, you would not be able to explore all of its sections.
Useful Tips Before Your Visit
All visitors visiting the British Museum are required to pass through a thorough security check, including bags. So, avoid bringing any large luggage with you. Additionally, you can also find luggage storage at nearby train stations such as Charing Cross, Euston, and King’s Cross.
Visitors who have accessibility issues will be provided with an easy route inside the museum. Also, you can reserve wheelchairs in advance if the need arises. The museum offers free WiFi internet service to all its visitors, and to access it, you have to enter your registered name and email address.
Almost all of the galleries inside the museum allow hand-held flash photography and video recording, provided they are only for private reasons. However, do note that no monopods, tripods, or selfie sticks are allowed. Also, do not forget to look out for photography-prohibited signs.
The museum opens at 11 AM and closes at 5 PM, except every Friday, when it stays open until 8:30 PM. However, the last entry into the museum is offered until 4 PM and 7:30 PM on Fridays. Additionally, the museum stays closed on December 24 and 26 every year.
When booking tickets, do note that you can only book tickets for a maximum of nine people, including yourself. And you will only be able to enter the museum after your selected time slot begins.
Finally, when returning from your trip, do not forget to check out the British Museum shop. It contains a huge array of gifts and souvenirs that you can purchase as mementoes for you and your loved ones.
