When it comes to museums, tourists in London are spoiled for choice.
There are over 190 museums in London!
But if you have time to see only one, I would argue you should choose the British Museum*.
*or the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum if you are traveling with small children.
Why Should You Visit the British Museum?
- Size: It houses a vast collection of over 8 million objects from around the world, with around 80,000 of them on display most of the time.
- Beautiful building: The interiors of the museum are stunning.
- Controversial collection: The collection reflects the heritage of the British Empire spanning 400 years. Many objects were acquired under controversial circumstances, which are viewed critically today.
- Conveniently located: The British Museum is within walking distance from top London attractions such as Trafalgar Square, Soho, and Covent Garden.
Things to know before you visit the British Museum
- Book a Free Ticket: Although the museum often accepts walk-ins, it’s better to book tickets on its website, ideally in the morning or midday, to guarantee entry.
- Bag Policy: Go without bags or with small bags only, if necessary. The museum implements airport-like security checks, which can lead to long queues, even for ticket holders.
- Free Maps and Guidance: The museum provides free paper maps located inside the building near entrances. If you can’t find them, ask the staff for directions. These maps are invaluable for navigating the museum’s various levels. They also include suggestions for must-see exhibits and times for free expert-led lectures. You can find this map also here.
- You should plan to spend a minimum of 2h in the museum
- You can preview the museum’s collection from home. For more details, see the museum’s website.
And finally the big question…
What should I see at the British Museum?
Below, you can find a list of 9 things to see in the British Museum – a great starting point for exploring its gigantic collection.
The British Museum is constantly evolving. The details of the item locations are accurate at the time of writing this post, but they might change in the future.
- Rosetta Stone (Room 4)
Without a doubt, the most popular object in the British Museum is the Rosetta Stone – a vertical stone slab dating back to 196 BC.
The stone is inscribed with text that helped in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs.
The text is written in three scripts: hieroglyphs, demotic (everyday Egyptian), and ancient Greek and is part of a decree stating that the priests of a temple in Memphis support the reign of King Ptolemy V.
It was discovered by the French in 1799 in the port city of Rosetta, in the Nile Delta of Egypt, hence its name.
2. Hoa Hakananai’a (Room 24)
Hoa Hakananai’a is a 2.42-meter (7.9 ft) tall lava rock sculpture carved by the Rapa Nui, the Indigenous inhabitants of Easter Island.
Experts estimate that it dates to around AD 1200.
It is one of the most controversial items in the British Museum.
Hoa Hakananai’a is not just a sculpted rock; it holds significant spiritual importance, embodying the spirits of prominent ancestors of the Rapa Nui people.
In July 2018, the people of Rapa Nui made a formal request for the return of Hoa Hakananai’a.
Negotiations with the museum are ongoing.
3. The Holy Thorn Reliquary (Room 2a)
Since 1899, the British Museum has been home to a 14th-century reliquary containing a thorn believed to be from Christ’s Crown of Thorns.
The reliquary is made of gold and decorated with rubies, pearls, and sapphires.
Its detailed craftsmanship and historical significance make it one of the must-sees in the museum.
4. Elgin Marbles (Room 18)
The Elgin Marbles have been in the possession of the British Museum for over 200 years.
They are a collection of 2,500-year-old sculptures that were once part of the Parthenon, one of the most famous buildings from the ancient world.
They got their name from Lord Elgin, who was responsible for the removal of the statues from Athens (then part of the Ottoman Empire) at the beginning of the 19th century.
The complex history of the removal of the Parthenon statues by Lord Elgin is the subject of longstanding international controversy.
5. Sutton Hoo Helmet (Room 41)
In 1938, near Woodbridge, UK, archaeologists discovered the most impressive medieval ship-grave in Europe—a 27-meter (89 ft) long burial, likely belonging to an unknown East Anglian king.
The Sutton Hoo helmet is one of many artifacts found at the site at that time.
Experts estimate that the burial ship dates back to the 6th or 7th century.
In the museum, you can find fragments of the original helmet discovered during the excavations, along with a replica created by the museum, showing how the helmet might have looked before time took its toll on it.
6. Lewis Chessmen (Room 40)
The Lewis Chessmen are a set of medieval chess pieces carved from walrus ivory and whales’ teeth, dating back to the 12th century.
They were discovered in 1830 on the remote Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
The set features distinct and expressive figures, including kings, queens, bishops, knights, rooks, and pawns, each adorned with detailed carvings.
The design of the chess pieces in the Harry Potter Christmas scene was inspired by the Lewis Chessmen!
One of the 8.8 cm tall pieces is privately owned and was bought at an auction at Sotheby’s in London in 2019 for £735,000!
7. Egyptian Mummies (Rooms 62&63)
The British Museum holds a huge collection of preserved mummies.
Its collection of mummies is one of the largest outside of Egypt!
On display, you can find not only mummies but also coffins, funerary masks, portraits, and other items designed to be buried with the deceased.
You can preview part of the museum’s collection using this link.
8. 2000-year-old postcards from the past –Vindolanda tablets (Room 49)
Before the Roman invasion, the indigenous Celtic tribes in Britain did not have a written language.
The Romans brought with them the Latin alphabet and writing practices.
In the British Museum, you can find the Vindolanda tablets, a collection of wooden leaf tablets, 3mm thick, discovered in 1973 at the Roman fort of Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall in northern England.
Dating from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, these tablets are written in ink and contain a variety of content, including military reports, personal letters, and official documents.
They are one of the earliest known examples of handwritten Latin in Britain!
9. 3500-year-old gold bowl – The The Ringlemere Cup (Room 51)
The Ringlemere Cup was discovered in 2001 by an amateur metal detectorist in Kent, England.
It dates from around 1700-1500 BC and is made of gold.
Unfortunately, the cup was damaged by modern agricultural activities, but its remaining form still highlights the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient goldsmiths.
The Ringlemere Cup was bought by the British Museum for £270,000, with the money split between the detectorist and the family who own Ringlemere Farm.
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