A few practical tips to make the most of a visit to the British Museum, on Great Russell Street in Bloomsbury.
The main entrance is on Great Russell Street, with a second entrance on Montague Place at the back. The nearest Underground stations are Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square and Goodge Street, all within about ten minutes’ walk.
The museum is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, at weekends and in school holidays. Arrive at opening time or come on a Friday, when it stays open late.
The collection is enormous, with tens of thousands of objects on display across more than 60 galleries. Allow two to three hours for the highlights, and pick a few galleries rather than trying to see everything.
General admission is free. The museum encourages booking a free timed ticket online, and bags are checked on the way in, so allow extra time at busy periods. Special exhibitions are ticketed separately.
You can take photos for personal use in most permanent galleries, without flash. Some exhibitions, including the Bayeux Tapestry, do not allow photography at all; for that one, use our free walking guide.
New, in beta. British Museum support has just launched and is still improving: over 1,000 objects so far, with more added all the time.
Skip the £6-per-language official app. Audioguide.London is free in your phone’s browser, covers over 1,000 objects in 6 languages, and accepts every audio number on the gallery labels. See the free British Museum audio guide.
If your time is limited, start with the British Museum must-see highlights.
The museum usually opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with a late opening on Fridays. Check the museum’s official website for the current hours before you go.
Two to three hours is enough for the main highlights. A full day still only scratches the surface, so choose a few galleries in advance.
It is on Great Russell Street in Bloomsbury. The nearest Underground stations are Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square and Goodge Street.