British Museum
British Museum
6 minutes read•Published on 05-10-2024
The British Museum, located right at the centre of London, is renowned for its vast and varied collection of items from around the globe. Notable exhibits include the historic Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles. Entrance is free, allowing visitors the chance to explore the story of human history and culture, stretching from ancient times to the modern era. Often considered a premier museum worldwide, it attracts countless tourists every year.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the British Museum with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The British Museum, located in London, was founded in 1753. It has the distinction of being the world's first public museum. The museum's inception was a direct result of an act of Parliament, and it was made accessible to anyone with a penchant for studying and learning. Its first-ever collection was the gift of Sir Hans Sloane, a known physician of the time, who provided around 71,000 objects he had gathered in his life. These objects included things like books, manuscripts, natural life specimens, and different artefacts from multiple corners of the world.
On 15 January 1759, the British Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time. Initially, it was lodged in Montagu House, in the Bloomsbury area, right where the present-day museum stands. Over time, the museum's collection saw a rapid increase in number. This increase was closely linked to the era of British colonialism. For instance, the famous Rosetta Stone was obtained from Egypt and was brought to England in 1802. Since then, it has been displayed at the museum.
There was a need for a bigger space for the British Museum as the nineteenth century arrived - this was due to the constant growth of its collections. To address this need, a new, larger building was commissioned. The man behind this project was an architect named Sir Robert Smirke. It took a phased approach to complete this structure and it was fully set up by 1857. This building, known for its Greek revival style, is the edifice that we are familiar with today as the British Museum.
Big changes were once again witnessed by the British Museum as the 2000s rolled in. The Great Court, a wide space in the middle of the museum, was introduced to the public. Today, it holds the title of being the largest covered public square in all of Europe. The British Museum continues to be a favoured destination for tourists in London, with a visitor count reaching millions each year. Entry to the museum remains free, and its collection spanning more than two million years of history is available for everyone to see.
One reason to visit
The Rosetta Stone
If you go to the British Museum in London, you can see an important item - The Rosetta Stone. People found this stone in 1799. The stone has words in three kinds of writing: Ancient Greek, Demotic, and Egyptian hieroglyphics. When people figured out what the Greek words meant, they could understand the Egyptian hieroglyphics. This gave them a new way to learn about ancient Egypt. If you visit the British Museum, you can see The Rosetta Stone with your own eyes. It connects us to a very old period of history. This can be both interesting and educational.
Getting there
Starting from Piccadilly Circus, walk northeast on Coventry Street towards Rupert Street. Continue on to Lisle Street and then onto Macadam Building. From there, turn right onto Newton Street, and then take a left onto High Holborn/A40. Walk straight on High Holborn/A40, make a right onto Bloomsbury Square and then continue straight onto Great Russell Street. The British Museum will then be located on your right. The approximately walking time is approximately 30 minutes. It’s recommended to use a navigation map for a clear path. Walking is a recommended mode however, you can also use bus number 14 from the stop Shaftesbury Avenue which is also another mode with frequent service to the museum.
To get to the British Museum in London by bike, firstly, you need to start at the Trafalgar Square area. Take the A4 road going east, turning right onto the A4200/Kingsway. Continue on this road then make a slight left onto the High Holborn road. From there, turn right onto Southampton Row, then make another right onto Theobald's Road. Once you reach Museum Street, turn left and you will find the British Museum on your left. It's around 15 minutes bike ride from Trafalgar Square. Please remember that London operates a Congestion Charge zone, which means you may have to pay a charge if your route enters this. Always note that the city is also busy, so be careful while biking.
First, if you're in the city centre, you can directly take the Tube (underground train) to either Tottenham Court Road or Holborn station with the Central or Northern Line. If you are slightly on the outskirts, you could take the bus. There are direct bus services (bus numbers 1, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98, 242) from Waterloo, Liverpool Street, Paddington, and King’s Cross station to the museum. The museum’s nearby bus stop B is for these buses, but just be sure to confirm with the driver. Alternatively, if you are in London suburbs, the best way is probably to take a local train to Charing Cross or Liverpool Street station and then go by bus or tube. Also, London taxis are a great option if you don't mind the expense and they can drop you right at the entrance of the museum on Great Russell Street.
From central London, to get to the British Museum by car, you must head northeast towards A4, turn right onto A4 via the ramp to The City/West End/C. London/The West/The North/Congestion Charge, next turn onto Drury Ln/A4200 and continue to follow A4200, afterward turn onto Great Russell St, and finally turn right onto Museum St. The British Museum would then be located on the right side. Please consider that the museum doesn't have its own parking area. The closest car park is probably Bloomsbury Square Car Park which is situated on WC1A 2RJ, about 2-3 minutes walk away. Do check your route before traveling, especially if you're planning on visiting during busy hours or peak seasons.
