One of London’s better museums, it always has amazing exhibitions on. Hadrian, which is currently on, is great; it really gives you a sense of the times, especially if you hire the audio tour guides. Always worth a visit, no matter what is on.

This is a brilliant place to bring young children - it is both fun and educational. It is also good place just to spend the day for the whole family.

Before my visit to the museum i heard so much about it and from the reviews i read,out of curiousity i decided to visit,I was totally blown away by the lovely collections of italian,japanese and ancient arts.I learnt quite a lot about human history from findings by ancient historians,it was worth it.

If you only ever go to one museum in London it should be this one.

The British Museum always has lots of interesting temporary exhibitions but to be honest it is the permanent collection which is the real jewel.

It’s filled with artifacts from a period in history where nations raced against one another to acquire to best artifacts from around the world.

Some exhibits such as the Elgin Marbles are controversial but they are displayed in a fantastic space with lots of informative information about their origin.

I think the British Museum also has the biggest collection of mummies and sarcophagus outside of Egypt.

The traditional and imposing building hides a fantastic secret, the inner section of the museum was cover by a wonderfully undulating roof of glass panels which link all the buildings together and form an amazingly open and airy space to stroll around and enjoy a coffee between exhibits.

The Reading Room is another jewel in the centre (literally) of the museum and was once seen as the center of learning in the nineteenth century. The British Museum have started to use it as exhibition space but make sure you get to see it when it’s returned to it’s original state.

Oh and did I mention entry is free?

I used to work for this museum so I am offering some insider advice for the visitor.
Firstly get a free map from the info desk, the ones you pay for are from the internal shops. Major attractions are listed on this map too. Check which galleries might be closed for renovation while you’re there, saves some walking. Also there is often a member of staff able to let you know what time a gallery could be opened for you, at times they will allow you into a closed area for a short amount of time if you ask nicely!
Those into prints must organize to visit the Study Room in the Prints and Drawings department. There are literally thousands of prints to view in privacy… also for free! Go to Room 90 for more information.
For the kids there is an activity pack available from the library with tours and highlights designed to educate the youngsters. Also if you visit on the weekend then you can use the school area for clocking your items, it is a free locker system that will save you at the regular cloakroom. The thing is to understand what your children are interested in. Is it colourful costumes, a particular country, religion, movies? There are all sorts of references available, for example the Easter Island Statue that many adults enjoy will be referenced by children as a character from the film 'Night at the Museum.’
For paying exhibitions book in advance on the internet or by phone, and avoid queuing for hours.
Most staff have extensive knowledge of the museum and have worked there for decades, if there is a specific query they can often help you through their passion.

“free to wee since 1753”

I first popped into this museum the other day purely because I was desperate for a wee and couldn’t find anywhere else nearby where I could go without having to buy something or at least pay more than i paid for my shoes. After I was finished though I was distracted by the amazing artifacts and came back the next day for a proper look around. Unfortunately the lazy staff were all on strike that day so I didn’t get to see everything but I have been back several times since over the last few days (again, for wees) and have managed to have a quick butchers and all the bits I missed. It almost makes me happy that the British plundered the world and scoused all the best stuff - you can come here and see all of human history concisely laid out in one place.

lovely building / layout too.

With it’s neo classic pillars and enormous central ampitheatre, the building is almost more exciting (especially to us Londoners livng in tiny one bed flats!) than the collection itself.
There is a little something for everyone here - which is lucky because being free - there are lot’s of everybodies.
Post colonial and modernist displays are given more than lip service although really everyone is here to see the great trophies of empire. The pock marked Elgan Marbles (er sorry - that’s the Pantheon Colletion in museum jargon) is impressively ensconced in a light filled hall, but such is the quality and extent of the early civilizations and classic collection that it fails to stand out from the pack. (Read - I think the British Museum would be no worse without it and Athens greatly enriched)
The item of greatest interest to me was one that I walked past several times - I didn’t see it because it was surrounded by tourists bumping and jostling and taking photo’s as if they’d just cornered David Beckham - that item being the Rosetta stone.
I nudged my way in and stared at it for a few minutes until the crowds and there flash photography drove me away (Why do they need to photograph everything??? They are never going to look at it again - bring back film! At least that was self limiting..)
The Rosetta stone is amazing, and I guess I can’t expect to have it to myself. It is beautiful, with delicate handcrafted symbols on smooth black rock and rough jagged edges. But the story it tells of mstery revealed when lost ancient languages converge with the known, is simply icecream for the imagination.

Its free! What else do you want?! Awesome displays and did I mention it’s free?

Great tourist spot. Go to Covent Garden tube station and you get directions to it in the lift! you can’t miss it. Its like the History museum, free. Although don’t expect as much entertainment for the kids at this one.

(If you want something for the kids try the science museum….they might look at you strange if they aren’t into it (i was likewise) but trust me they should come away happy. Loads to do.)

There is great collections at the british museum though and although it isn’t as hands on, it is beautiful

I first came across the British Museum while wondering the streets streets of London. When I walked through the gates of the museum and saw the giant pillared building, I thought WOW, what an amazing structure. Inside the museum, there is a maginificent collection of artifacts, statues and historical collections spanning centuries. From east to west, great history is displayed.
Now, sometimes to get away from the hussle and bustle of the London streets, I go to the museum, find a quiet corner in the vaste glass dome area and sit and reflect. It is a good place to grab a coffee too. Definately worth a visit.

My last visit to the museum was about 4 years ago and boy was i impressed! the sheer amount of exhibitions and the layout of all the different areas is extremely immense and all for a unbeatable price ( 100% free! )

I love the British Museum, there is so much to see here. I first went when I was a child and I was fascinated by all the archaeological finds that were displayed.

I last visited a couple of years ago and saw the Ancient Egypt exhibition and the Rossetta Stone. I was impressed with the newly built Great Hall.

Its really good that the British Museum and so many other museuams and art galleries offer free entry now-a-days.

Truly stunning, there is so much to see It would take a lifetime to see everything

The granddaddy of museums, and a “must” for any visitor to London. I am sometimes overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the British Museum: I’d suggest getting the map and picking two or three galleries upon which to focus. The museum is free, but please drop some coins into the donation boxes. Finally, be sure to enjoy the Great Court, with a stunning glass roof by Norman Foster. The Great Court is one of my favorite places in London.

It is arguably the most popular tourists attraction. You must visit this place if it’s your first time in town. The impressive museum exhibits include the egyptian mummies…(not for the faint hearted), greek antiques and a a library to name a few. Get your guide ready as it’ll be a whole day out!

ITS JUST EXCELLENT

They have Cleopatra’s mummy! THE Cleopatra! Now, aside from the fact that a lot of the stuff here should really be somewhere else (Elgin marbles anyone?), you can’t argue with the fact that the British have done an excellent job of housing and preserving historical artifacts from all over the world.

This museum is a must visit in London. You can’t possibly do it all in a day, so get the map and pick your favorite eras. I could spend hours in the Egyptian rooms. They even have little cat mummies, which I have never seen anywhere else.

Oh, and it’s F R E E. Go now!

defitenely the best museum of london

Boasting it has always been free this is a great place.
I like to do it in small doses except I have an obsession with the Egyption collection especially mummified cats and hamsters with rucksacks full of food for the afterlife.
Love to gaze at the Rosetta Stone.
The current print exhibition is good. I went to see the Hoppers and was a little disappointed there were so few.
One day I will afford to buy myself a replica Cat with earrings and a nose ring :)

Its a great place to visit if you dont like sitting down - there is no place to settle and contemplate except in the busy but expensive cafes.
I have a great difficulty ignoring the colonial aspect of ‘collecting bits of other people’s antiquity’ tol garnish ‘british culture’. Yet I tolerate it because there are impressive qualities - dispite this plundering and cultural rape, the creativity and crafts representated is awe inspiring and restores my faith in humanity.

The British Museum deserves its worldwide fame. It contains some stunning relics, like Cleopatra’s mummy, the Rosetta Stone, and the Elgin Marbles. Beyond that, though, it houses hundreds of thousands of pieces from all cultures and times on the planet. Perhaps you’ll welcome the debate about how much of this stuff is stolen from its original and proper place; or perhaps you’ll merely want to see it all.

Well, seeing it all isn’t an option unless you live in London and can make repeated visits over years. The Museum can’t put everything out at once, and some exhibits cycle new items from time to time.

But it’s worth it. Every single bit is fascinating, well-documented, and palpably communicates its history. Focus on Middle Eastern, Asian, North American, whatever culture you like.

Even a trip around the current holdings would take days, though. The building is massive. It’s not at all hard to get lost, especially amongst the crowds that infest places like the hall of mummies. The interior courtyard, with its glass-domed ceiling, is breathtaking.

The gift shops provide the opportunity for truly unique gifts. The cafés give you a welcome rest break.

Best of all: it’s all free. Though you really should donate something.

Very interesting could spend all day there

As a avid museum goer I would rate British Museum as big or huge (albeit with nice architecture)

You can spend a lot of time at the BM and YOU will become hungry or pekish and you have many choices I will give you two tips for how you should spend your quids in that case.

1) On the inside - The cafe/restaurant at the top floor of BM - go there for afternoon tea, order champagne and tea and just relax from the hustle and bustle of the museum.

2) On the outside - The cameracafe on Museum street 44
It is almost always empty its kinda quirky, cosy and with excellent choices and very personal service.
You’ll find their website at-> http://www.cameracafe.co.uk/
and they do have wifi and where else do you get your camera questions answered while you order your latte? It’s a unique place indeed!

A great place to take the kids.

A MUST for anyone visiting London.Ths imposing building is a nice place to be in if you have some time to grab some education. Entrance is free except for the more publicised exhibitions, and for that you get an ever changing programme of displays to gaze and wonder at.

Nice cafeterias but a tad expensive (I wish those counter staff would smile a bit more). I cringe when I see the abrupt and unfriendly way they treat tourists. C’mon folks! the tourists and visitors help to pay your salary so make some effort wont you!)

The shops on the ground floor have some nice souvenirs and postcards to take home with you. Again, the staff are a bit unsmiling and tight lipped and depending on individuals’ moods, they can get a bit tch! tch! and off hand. You get the distinct impression that some of them hate their jobs.

Honestly I have still not worked my way through this entire museum. It is so massive and intense I am still trying to get to my fourth visit. But go through it I will as each turn holds new magic! With incredible displays and exhibitions from all over the world, the British museum lives up to its reputation. Your expectations will not be blown – no matter which far flung place of British rule you are interested in, a coherent, extensive collection is available to view. My favourite still is the Egyptian section as the mysticism is so deep, but all the sections from east to west are well done.

Well there was almost everything said about this museum, but i just want to mention the exhebitions that are in the "basement" of the museum. Don´t miss these ones!!! They are really great and you really miss something if you don´t see the artefacts they have there (from native americans, aswell exhibitions about africa and its civil wars).

This museum has been a favourite of mine since I was a kid. There are various departments but the one that always stands out is of course the mummys. They are presented in glass boxes and you can even smell the preservatives or mould-dunno what the smell is but it makes the expereience more authentic! The mummys, as do all artifacts come with descriptions. Other exhibits include the rosetta stone, the marble slabs from the parthenon in ancient Athens and ancient artifacts from persia, if i remember correctly, along with a great deal of other artifacts. There is much to see and Ive never been able to see everything in one day, so you will have plenty to see. Entry is free and finding it may be a little difficult, but signposts are somewhat helpful. Take a map so you wont get lost.

There is no question that the British museum is one of the world's great museums, even the 40-50 yard walk from the gates to the grand entrance is something of an epic affair. Inside the museum the courtyard has to be seen to be believed, it's a sort of postmodern/colonial/whitewash dome. Anyone who has been will stand as testament to it as it really sets the tone for some incredible collections. The staff are all intelligent and dedicated, if you're particularly interested in something they'll be able to help you in the right direction. Collections include Renaissance Europe, Ancient Egypt and African pieces from thousands of years in to our past. Every Londoner and tourist should have been to the British museum.

I don’t even know how many times I’ve been to the British Museum. Have I seen everything yet? Of course not. Probably because I get stuck standing mesmerized in front of the moai … or the Rosetta Stone (if there aren’t five million people gathered around it) … or …. You get the point. The British Museum is brilliant and one of the most wonderful places in London to spend a day.

Although, the history of the British Museum itself can be quite disappointing for its funs, it is definately one of the greatest tourists' spots in the world.
The first thing which strikes one right from the entrance is how well the museum is organised. Everything seems to be on a right place, and I consider the fact very helpful when You just want to discover the history of the world from the beginning.
It has a large collection of statues, and painting, also fragments of the ancient buildings, and everything there is original. The most tempting hall, however, is the library.
In the centre of the library, there always lies the book-it can be everything- Columbus' diary, or simply the nineteenth century novel. The thing is every day you can read one page of it- and the next day there will be the second one shown. Its absolutely amazing how many unique books you can read in that way! (obviously, it takes sometimes a year to read one, but who cares!). Love this idea and enjoy going there

One place I have visited a few times and there is always so much to look at. You should really choose 2 or 3 parts of it to look at in one day and read the note with the exhibits instead of just look at the artifacts and not finding out where they are from and where they fit into history.
All I can say is the British Museum definitely made good from colonialism and the British Empire. But then it is cool to have all these treasures from around the world in one place for all to see.
I haven't made it into the Terrecota Army exhibition yet as its a timed entry and tickets at £12 go quick on the day.
The eygptian exhibitions are brilliant but could do with more readable information with the exhibits, so people know where and how it fits in. Could be more like the dinosaur bit in the Natural history museum where its a bit more interactive and colourful - better for kids of all ages I think. The rossetta stone is amazing and well worth spending 5 minutes in front of.
The asian exhibitions are equally as magical.
The African one was a bit of a disappointment as it seemed quite modern and focussed on Africas violent past and present, come on Africa is the cradle of life!
Its always busy there and not entirely pleasant with a pram!
The cafe area could do for a few more tables as well!
I seemed to have had a bit of a moan, but I love it really!!!

British Museum is a fascinating place to visit, especially do I love the department where decades old Egyptian mummies of humans, cats and other creatures are exhibited along with jewellery, tools, toys and other artefacts that the mummified will need in the afterlife.
Egypteology, all aspects of it, especially the Egyptian gods and the whole mysticism surrounding the pyramids and the act and purpose of mummification, has always fascinated me, why going to actually see real mummies has always appealed to me.
It is a fantastic sensation to be staring at a thousands of years old mummified human being, with only a thin layer of glass separating you from touching it!
In the middle of the museum there is a huge library that looks like something you would use as the setting of a movie, maybe as a library at Hogwarts or something like that. If you visit British Museum, do not forget to go into the library.

The thing I remembered most in there is the Japanese art . It was beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed that trip there. There were so many things to see in there that I had to go back a second time. If you want to fully appreciate all the art and little treasures in there you have to enjoy it. Walk round the museum slowly and read and look at every single piece of work. The second time I was there I realised that I have learned so much from the museum and had a great time.

How could anyone possibly visit the British Museum and not come away with a deep and abiding love of it? One of my favourite places to while away a rainy day, I am sure that you could visit every day for 10 years and still not come close to seeing every single piece here - the pride of London, surely, if not the UK?

And it's free!

I always get caught up by the Assyrian and Phoenecian displays, but always end up at the Egyptian section to admire the Rosetta stone and the mummies. A super place to take any newbie to London too.

Food & drink is fairly pricey in the Great Court restaurant but sometimes needs must! A better bet is to load up with a decent breakfast and head in there about 11am, which leaves you a good 5 hours to wander before the hunger pangs set it and your feet feel as if they are about to fall off.

Always keep an eye out on the website for their special deals and exhibitions. The "Terracotta Army" is already sold out for pre-Christmas dates, so it pays to book well in advance if something catches your eye.

I recommend you check out the Egyptian and Middle Eastern sections, if nothing else. Also, do have a look in their Gift Shop and pop a nominal amount of cash into the "pot" at the entrance/exit to the Museum to help pay for its upkeep.

This museum is one of the best I have been too. The exhibits are wonderful and while walking around you actually feel you are part of the exhibits around you. The day I was there we had the chance to hold some of the items. The best items I saw was probably from the Ancient Egyptian Culture wing. Besides that the authenic Easter Island statue is worth looking at. The architecture of the building is also fantastic. My friend and I had a good day out. Anyone in London should