The British Museum
The British Museum
4.5
Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A museum of the world, for the world. Discover over two million years of human history and culture. Some of the world-famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Bloomsbury
Snuggly nestled within Central London is academic and leafy Bloomsbury, an area that boasts walking distance access to many of London's most popular attractions. It is also home to some of Britain's most celebrated museums, including the must-see British Museum. Despite an understandable popularity with students, tourists and day trippers, vast sections of Bloomsbury retain a quiet, residential feel year round and throughout the week.
How to get there
- Tottenham Court Road • 6 min walk
- Russell Square • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,244 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
73,618 reviews
Excellent
53,425
Very good
15,574
Average
3,490
Poor
735
Terrible
397
Erica
1 contribution
Jun. 2023 • Friends
Poorly organised. Close museum early without proper communication and many of us were rush out of the museum. There is no way to complain.
Written June 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bodgan s
Romania10 contributions
Apr. 2023
Alot to see in the british museum.the staffs are very helpful,its a big must to visit while in london.
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosco2
London, UK313 contributions
Jun. 2023
Issue re needing a wheelchair for one of us. We had phoned the BM the night before our booked visit to an exhibition and was told wheelchairs were already booked but one would be free for us. We turned up. No wheelchair, all five (five???) already booked. More being bought, none available, should have booked. Well, we did call yesterday. Becoming a saga…finally we went to reception and Alastair finally agreed we could take the one booked for 15.00. Our booking was for 11.00. We had to return to reception when finished with it. No problem. Clearly more chairs are needed.
Issue 2. Accessing Sainsbury Gallery on 1st floor. Lift was being used by everyone - apparently someone was advising people booking tickets for exhibition to access via the very slow lift rather than stairs. A nightmare if you are in a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Lift access & egress pretty tricky especially if you have a lift full of ambulent.
Issue 3 the disability toilets. Siting is pretty abysmal for the ground floor ones next to shops. We had one scooter & one wheelchair. People don’t want to walk downstairs to general loos or don’t realised (no signage) the mainstream ones are down the stairs, so the corridor becomes a health & safety hazard as people queue to go in the disability loo. Not a lot of fun if you are disabled. I had to hold back traffic to allow scooter & wheelchair turning space to leave. This needs a proper assessment and re think plus signage on wall opposite the disabled loo.
Issue 2. Accessing Sainsbury Gallery on 1st floor. Lift was being used by everyone - apparently someone was advising people booking tickets for exhibition to access via the very slow lift rather than stairs. A nightmare if you are in a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Lift access & egress pretty tricky especially if you have a lift full of ambulent.
Issue 3 the disability toilets. Siting is pretty abysmal for the ground floor ones next to shops. We had one scooter & one wheelchair. People don’t want to walk downstairs to general loos or don’t realised (no signage) the mainstream ones are down the stairs, so the corridor becomes a health & safety hazard as people queue to go in the disability loo. Not a lot of fun if you are disabled. I had to hold back traffic to allow scooter & wheelchair turning space to leave. This needs a proper assessment and re think plus signage on wall opposite the disabled loo.
Written June 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TWOGTHEPUG
24 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Family
Interesting museum! The Egypt exhibits were the most interesting and are a must see. It’s nice that the museum is free, but do not bring kids if you don’t like constant complaining and want to stay for longer than an hour!! It’s also pretty crowded, but there are always some less crowded rooms.
Written June 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meredith M
Des Moines, IA10 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Okay this may be controversial but it was crowded, few places to sit and enjoy the art/exhibits, and I was mostly uncomfortable and sad by the amount of exhibits that have been requested to be returned to their homelands. Maybe I’m just American but seems like things should be given not taken! Wish I could get my £2 back for the map
Written June 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SwSe86
Saint Clair Shores, MI138 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Went with some friends in London and really enjoyed our day at the museum. It is large and didn't feel crowded even though the long security line outside says differently. Entrance is free but with a suggested donation. The exhibits are well displayed and labeled
Written June 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdeleW
Chelmsford, UK40 contributions
Jul. 2022
We booked a private tour thorugh the British Museum and worth every penny. Such a huge amount to see, gets busy in school holidays
Written June 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
June
Singapore, Singapore20 contributions
Dec. 2022
The British Museum is a must-see for both locals and tourists alike. The museum boasts a wide range of historical artefacts and you can easily spend a day here going from one exhibit to the next. The gift shop also sells some pretty cool items so be sure to check that out for a souvenir home.
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john
Northiam, UK2 contributions
May 2023
Visited the museum to view the Persian exhibition and the China lost century exhibition. Both exhibitions were worth the visit but the china exhibition just blew me away, really did not expect to find this one the best but it is in places exquisite.
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oktawiusz
Katowice, Poland2 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Friends
Great archives. It’s a must see at least once in your lifetime if you want to understand our roots as humanity. Whole day is not enough to get to know deeply what museum has to offer.
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adriana P
3 contributions
Buongiorno, per chi ha prenotato già i biglietti per il british museo. Qualcuno di voi a prenotato più di un biglietto e hanno soltanto chiesto un nominativo? E il resto dei biglietti ha il nome di chi ha prenotato e non il proprio?
Giorgio T
Monleale2,297 contributions
La prenotazione online è semplice e mettiamo sempre il nome della persona che visita il museo.
I am going to London from the 6th april to the 10th. I've seen that the tickets for the British Museum are sold out from 6 to 12 april. Dos that mean that there is no chance to visit the Museum in any of those days?
Marianne
La Paz14 contributions
you don't need tickets for most of the museum, you can just turn up. are you talking about the travelling exhibitions?
Επιτρέπονται τα σκυλάκια μέσα σε ειδικό σάκο μεταφοράς?
Giorgio T
Monleale2,297 contributions
Non so, però ho visitato il Museo molte volte e non mi è mai capitato di vedere un cane.
CIAO Giorgio
J M
Bethlehem, PA8 contributions
I'm travelling to London in Sept 2022 for a solo museum trip. I'm planning on walking or taking public transit/taxis.
Which area of London should I stay in to afford best/closest access to the largest number of museums? I'm open to staying at a hotel or an Air B&B rental.
Thanks!!
Darrin H
Wymondham, UK159 contributions
We stayed at Holborn very close to the British Museum and very close to the West End all walking distance, also some very good eateries in the area to suit all budgets. The tube is so good it will get you to any other museum you require in pretty quick time. But if you’re into museums you will need to allow plenty of time for the British Museum.
Massimiliano D
3 contributions
occorre prenotare per entrare nei musei a Londra?
Gabriele Bicchierai
Rome, Italy2,064 contributions
Yes
Does the British Museum have strict time periods? For example, if I reserve a ticket for ten in the morning, can I choose to use this ticket to visit the exhibition in the afternoon?
alza007
Isabela, Puerto Rico168 contributions
The hrs are flexible, example 10am-11am. I went in the morning, but should be have in the afternoon.
Sandra M
Bristol, UK1 contribution
Hello,
How long should we allow to visit the Nero exhibition?
Also can we return to the rest of the museum exhibitions afterwards or can we only visit beforehand?
Thank you
Sandra
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York2,457 contributions
You will need at least one hour for the Nero exhibit. I spent two hours there since I like to read all of the exhibit labels. You can visit the rest of the museum at any time. Since the Nero exhibit is closing soon, it may be very popular in its last week. Once inside, you can visit any exhibits you wish, except for the special exhibits that require paid tickets.
THE BRITISH MUSEUM - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The British Museum
- The British Museum is open:
- Fri - Fri 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Sat - Thu 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- We recommend booking The British Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 87 The British Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience The British Museum:
- British Museum Guided Tour (From C$80.15)
- Kid-Friendly Private British Museum Highlights and Walk to Covent Garden London (From C$377.43)
- The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max (From C$152.92)
- Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise (From C$68.61)
- London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise (From C$71.15)
- Hotels near The British Museum:
- (0.14 km) The Montague on The Gardens
- (0.14 km) Astor Museum Hostel
- (0.16 km) Morgan Hotel
- (0.10 km) Grange Blooms Hotel
- (0.12 km) Ruskin Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near The British Museum:
- (0.03 km) Great Court Restaurant
- (0.04 km) Benugo - British Museum
- (0.12 km) The Blue Door Bistro
- (0.15 km) Museum Tavern
- (0.14 km) Afternoon Tea at The Montague on The Gardens
- Attractions near The British Museum:
- (0.04 km) THATMuse,Treasure Hunt at the Museum
- (0.04 km) Queen Elizabeth II Great Court
- (0.14 km) Bloomsbury Walks
- (0.14 km) Nuts Pub Crawl London
- (0.26 km) Cycle Tours of London