The British Museum (#1), London: Photos, Reviews & Location

Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures.

At a glance

#21 of 392 Tourist attractions in London #5 of 85 Museums in London

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.70

1.2 km from the center of London

Rating breakdown

5 ★77%
4 ★16%
3 ★4%
2 ★1%
1 ★1%

Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom

britishmuseum.org

+44 20 7323 8299

Photos of The British Museum (289)

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Quick facts

What is the rating of The British Museum?: The British Museum is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 286,296 reviews.
How does The British Museum rank in London?: The British Museum is #21 of 392 Tourist attractions in London by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is The British Museum located?: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom — 1.2 km from the center of London.
How can I contact The British Museum?: Phone: +44 20 7323 8299 · Website: britishmuseum.org

Reviews (14)

Matteo Masiello 2023 Sep 27

This place is very magnificent, you can see a lot of different cultures all divided in zones. In my opinion the best way to explore it is going up to the top floor and starting from there and probably the best part is the Egyptian, I loved it! It's not super big like the Louvre if you have been there but at least 2/3 hours are needed. Enjoy!

Radosław Kwiatkowski 2023 Sep 03

This place doesn't need recommendations.
Free entrance with security check. Tickets are required for additional exhibitions only.
There are no queues on Saturday afternoon (during our visit).
It might be very warm inside in the summertime.
Good walking shoes are recommended as the museum is massive.
Souvenir shops, snack bars, etc.

Chanakya Ranga 2023 Sep 03

Huge collection of artefacts from all around the world (because of the "the empire", naturally). Takes a full day easily to explore the place. It's free admission with 5£ "donation" to the museum. Book a time spot on a given day to be sure that you can enter. There are limited toilets so it's possible to have queues for women especially. From whichever country you are coming from, there is a high probability that you will find something here that is from your country.

Festus Ifiti jr 2023 Sep 01

What can I say that hasn't been said. Whether you live in London, outside of London, whether you're a tourist or a native in Britain. You have to go to the British museum.
Why? It's amazing. You don't have to be a lover of antiquities to find the museum fascinating. I go to the museum at least twice a year to see an exhibition and I always have a different experience every time I go. I love learning about ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome so I'm constantly updating my knowledge.
I would get a ticket in advance if you want to go to an exhibition. If you've never been, please go, you will not regret it.

Joe Moles 2023 Sep 01

Excellent day out, felt like royalty with the accessible parking driving through the big iron gates staff were great checking or needs. Very busy as it was a bank holiday but we were still able to see all we wanted. Lovely cafés seating is restricted by space but sharing didn’t seem a problem and the coffee was worth it. Beautiful gift shops with really polite friendly staff. It’s a must visit if your nearby. Our favourite was the Egyptian section

Sudhakar M D 2023 Aug 29

My trip to the British Museum on a bank holiday was quite an experience. The popularity of the museum was evident in the bustling crowd, although arriving around 3 PM allowed me to skip the queues. The clever use of stages helped manage the large number of visitors, which was quite helpful. The standout feature is undoubtedly the fact that it's free of cost, making it incredibly accessible.

The museum boasts an impressive variety of exhibits that cater to a wide range of interests. The treasures from India, China, and Egypt were particularly captivating, offering a deep dive into their rich histories. It was a shame that I missed out on exploring the American exhibits, but the time constraint was understandable as the staff began to hurry visitors out as closing time neared.

However, the museum's limited and sluggish elevator was a downside, causing delays due to its small capacity. On the upside, having food options available in the middle of the building was convenient for refueling. Yet, I found the maps inside the museum a bit confusing and the overall directions could be clearer to enhance navigation.

Given the vastness of the collection, I'd recommend allocating a full day for a detailed exploration. The British Museum is undeniably a treasure trove of knowledge, even though some aspects like the lift, map clarity, and directions could use improvements. It's an essential stop for history enthusiasts, offering an array of captivating artifacts that span centuries and civilizations.

Mason T 2023 Aug 23

Despite having a timed ticket, we still had to endure a long wait in the outdoor line at the museum on a rainy day.

Inside the museum, the experience was truly delightful, particularly considering the tickets were free. A wide array of historical art pieces were exceptionally well-presented. The organization was impeccable, with ample bathroom facilities provided. Overall, it made for an enjoyable and engaging visit.

Aimel Rai 2023 Aug 17

Now I know a lot of these pieces are not rightfully British HOWEVER it was a cool experience being able to look at them and experience them. I would highly recommend going through the queue from the main entrance walking a little down right in-front of Starbucks, it’s a lot faster and shorter. The map does cost 2 pounds which I would recommend that you get, it’s a lot easier to navigate. The museum also had these really cool
Hands on station which just add to the experience and allow you to learn new things.

peter rypens 2023 Aug 14

The British Museum is an essential must-visit for its vast historical treasures. The best part? It's free! Delve into world history, from ancient civilizations to modern times. However, be prepared for the downside: its immense popularity. The museum's free admission draws massive crowds, making it a challenge to fully appreciate the exhibits without navigating through throngs. Despite the crowds, the British Museum remains an unparalleled hub of human history and culture, offering a glimpse into the marvels of the past that shouldn't be missed by any curious traveler.

Rudolph Nartker 2023 Aug 12

This is by far the best history museum I have ever been in. I was planning on being in there for 3-4 hours and not seeing everything. I would recommend going in for 2-3 days. To see it all. Words cannot express the emotion that I felt being in the presence of this collection of artifacts.

Daniel Nowak 2023 Aug 10

Be sure to book your tickets first, try to go outside of rush hours and reserve at least 3h to go through all the expositions. If you plan to stop for a meal even more time is needed and there are available multiple cafés / restaurants to have a quick snack or grab something more substantial.
Museum itself is extremely educational and everyone will find someone from himself. So if it will happen that you'll be in London - the British Museum is a must go.

ahmed rashid 2023 Apr 24

A very nice place to visit if you want to see various types of monuments from different countries and from different Eras. I would recommend to visit the place if you are in London.

Abdus Samad 2022 Jun 26

Entry to the museum is free but still its better to book the slot in advance. It is usually stated that the last time to enter is 3.30 but when we arrived later we were allowed to go like other people. There was no waiting time despite the weekend.

One needs 3 4 hours to see the most important parts of the museum.

Wan-chien Hsiao 2022 Apr 09

ABSOLUTELY stunned by this museum. Very comprehensive collection of the world’s history. Everything inside the museum is very well preserved and you get to learn many new things of different histories. Museum is massive so almost impossible to finish everything in one day. Would recommend doing homework on what you would like to see the most and plan your route before your visit. Came on a Monday but still need to queue for bag inspection, so prepare for long line if you are coming on the weekends.