The British Museum in Bloomsbury is one of London’s great cultural landmarks, bringing together objects from across the world under the sweeping glass roof of the Great Court. Founded in 1753, its collection spans ancient and modern cultures, from Egypt and Greece to Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo helmet and the Lewis Chessmen are just a few of the objects that reward a visit. Seek out the Assyrian lion hunt reliefs for their extraordinary detail, or spend time with the Parthenon sculptures, whose presence in London remains the subject of a long-running debate about ownership and restitution. The museum’s collections offer a chance to encounter that history as well as the cultures represented in its galleries.
Admission to the permanent collection is free, although some exhibitions require paid tickets; booking ahead is advisable. The busiest galleries can be crowded, so try a weekday morning and choose a few priority rooms rather than attempting the entire museum in one visit. Check the museum’s website before you go for opening times and gallery closures.