British Museum has some outstanding holdings in the fields of archeology as well as ethnography. The three collections, which the museum was originally based on, were opened to public in the year 1759. It was first located in a mansion known as Mantagu House and the entry to the museum was free and every studious and curious person used to be allowed to enter.
Four of the most popular holdings of this museum are the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, the Great Court and the Magna Carta. The Rosetta Stone played a huge role in reading ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Some of its collections also helped in the understanding of an ancient Middle Eastern script. Eventually in the 1880s, some of the natural history collections were moved to a new building to make space for the growing number of collections kept in the British Museum. The new building with the natural collections became the Natural History Museum.
The British Museum has managed to open four new permanent galleries in the recent past and is now looking to include a new exhibition space. This museum was even awarded for its attempts in the reduction of its carbon footprints. Entry is free.
British Museum Location Map
Facts about British Museum
- The museum is so large that it takes more than a day for many visitors to be able to explore it completely.
- This museum celebrated its 250th anniversary only ten years ago in 2003.
- The number of visitors increased tremendously in the 19th century. Particularly during public holidays, people started coming to the British Museum.
- The museum has always stayed open except for the two World Wars.
- The total number of visitors per year has increased dramatically from a mere 5,000 to 6 million today.
Where is the British Museum?
British Museum, London is located in the Bloomsbury district. Nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square and Goodge Street. Several buses also make a stop nearby.
Best Time To Visit British Museum
The best time to visit London would be during its summer months because of the mild temperatures. And while there, it is advisable to visit the British Museum mid-week and in the mornings because it tends to get extremely busy over the weekends. Moreover, knowing that you won’t be able to explore the entire museum would make the visit much more relaxing and heavenly. Visiting hours are from 1000 hours to 1700 hours daily with an extended closing hour (2030) on Fridays.
Must Read : Explore World History at the British Museum in London
More about the British Museum
Nearby Attractions : The Cartoon Museum, The Building Centre, Conway Hall, Photographers’ Gallery.
England major attractions: Stonehenge, British Museum, Big Ben London, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Millennium Bridge, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo, Trafalgar Square, Palace of Westminster, Kensington Palace, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Nelson’s Column, Wellington Arch.
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