Two million years of human history, under one roof – and free. Founded in 1753 and opened to the public in 1759, the British Museum in Bloomsbury is one of the oldest and largest museums in the world.
What to see
The Rosetta Stone
The stone carved with the same decree in three scripts helped scholars decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs. It is usually surrounded by a crowd – come early.
Ancient Egypt
The mummies and coffins upstairs are a favourite with children, and the sculpture gallery holds colossal statues of the pharaohs.
The Parthenon sculptures
Marble sculptures removed from the Parthenon in Athens in the early 19th century – their return has long been requested by Greece.
Britain and Europe
The Anglo-Saxon treasure of Sutton Hoo and the walrus-ivory Lewis Chessmen.
The Great Court
The central courtyard, covered by a spectacular glass roof since 2000, surrounds the historic Reading Room. It is a good place to start and to meet up.
Tips
- Entry is free, but booking a time slot online is recommended at busy times.
- Choose a few galleries rather than trying to see everything.
- Weekday mornings are the calmest.
