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Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern)
Holborn (Central, Piccadilly)
Covent Garden (Piccadilly)
Mon-Sun 10:00 - 17:30
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Just freaking amazing. Can be very crowded so try to arrange a time (like when it first opens...and said by Ally... go to the back first).
Totally free with a donation area. Throw something in. It is worth the visit.
Listed in: UK Places
Hands down - my favorite museum in London!!!
It can take you 2 days to see everything and it is very much worth the visit. I have visited the museum twice and I still haven't finish seeing everything. Plan ahead which exhibit you really, really want to see. Then go straight to the back of the museum and work your way to the front. Otherwise, you'll be stuck in long que that are stacked in the front. Bring your own snacks, the longs are just too long. Or make restaurant reservations if you have the time.
By far, the Rosetta Stone, is the most famous attraction. If you really want to take a good look, go as soon as the museum opens. Otherwise, you're never get the chance to admire it more than 5 seconds before you are politely moving along.
Admission is FREE to this national treasure. Yes, you can take photos.
Another centennial review for one as passionate about reading (and writing) as I!! At least all those essays and required reading were worth something, because now I genuinely love doing both, and continue to grow my bookshelves =)
Most people think: Rosetta Stone=British Museum
I love the British Museum so much so that I booked my hotel stay in Legal London's Bloomsbury just to be practically across the street from the entrance (no exaggeration). I could come/go as many times as my flat feet could bear it, as entrance is free (though I dropped in a big donation)!
The very first time I beheld this greatness was in the 90's, and I almost wet myself, I was so happy... you know, when you read and read and read about something, and then, before you know it, you're actually tete-a-tete with it.. *in real life*!!!!
There was one day when I came thrice.... once even used as an after-dinner burnoff to stroll the upstairs where the Egyptian exhibit was!
So much of the world's development, so many civilizations all come to rest underneath its roof. That is a heady thought.
To come here and to take in just how many cultures, how many various eras, the span of millennia, the blood, sweat, and tears of archeologists and historians, the research, the science behind the preservation and ideal ambient temperature.... all of it makes me one humble and grateful girl. I have said this elsewhere, but without a great understanding of history, we become lesser individuals.
I walk in wonderment, everywhere I go. I love it here, the special exhibits (at the time, it was Persian New Year (Nouruz) and the feature was the Shah Abbas), the whole shabang. I believe the Iranian ex-pat population is highest in England.
If I had the stamina, I'd come and stay all day long. There is just so much to learn about the world, and in doing so, about ourselves. Thank you, England, for providing *so many* free museums for the world to avail itself of, and for the opportunity to see first-hand that there is indeed no end to the adventure of learning and appreciation.
Can't wait to come back; for me, that kind of excitement never wanes.
Until the 5 of September 2010 in rooms 90 and 91 at the British Museum there is a free exhibition "The Printed image in China" dedicated to the history of the Chinese prints. The Chinese print art originated around 700 AD and therefore has the longest printing history in the world. First prints were focused on the life of Buddha, on themes related to Confucianism and Taoism. However slowly they stared embracing other topics such as: art, science, social life and everyday life of ordinary people. Especially works created during the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) are very rich in colours and texture. The exhibition covers the period between 700 AD and now. About 120 pieces of the art are on display. Highly recommended to everyone who is interested in the Chinese culture or in the art.
Listed in: the best museums
Visited The British Museum again, I love coming to this place the building is fantastic, and every time i visit this place i find a room or artifacts I'd missed on the last visit!! there are photographic opportunity's in every nook and cranny here. The place was very busy on the day i visited (probably due to the drizzly rain outside and the school holiday season).
museum is FREE but their are Donation box's in and around the museum for contributions.
I have posted pic's here but there are more on my flickr page's!
http://www.flickr.com/...
Love visiting the British museum! Fantastic relic's from asia,americas,europe etc,ect, there are… Read more »
This was one of my favorite (free!) things to do in London, and it's also probably my favorite museum anywhere. There's enough here to keep you busy for days--artifacts and treasures from all over the world. I guess British imperialism had a few positives. Definitely go here if you're in London.
Listed in: Travel Tips and Tourist Traps
A cannot miss stop for even the most jaded traveler.
A priceless collection that rivals anything else offered in the world.
These rare items were gathered from around the globe - probably much of which was spirited away during the days of British colonization (or, shall we say, "exploration").
Extremely well-displayed, with excellent descriptions of the various pieces.
Amazingly, admission is FREE.
Dude, really? Yea really. It's free. There is sooo much, like to much and it's all free and extremely educational. Don't even try and see it all in one day, there is just so much.
This museum is EXTENSIVE. My tour group and I were there for two hours with possibly the most interesting and knowledgeable guide I've ever had for any museum. We didn't even come close to seeing everything they had to offer but we got a field guide to the basics. Our guide told stories about each one of the artifacts that we visited and had clear and thorough answers for all of our questions.
This museum may be named The British Museum but in reality, it is a WORLD history museum. They have pieces from all over the world, many of which are controversial. Come to see the mummies, the Parthenon Marbles (before they get taken back to where they originated!) and the Rosetta Stone. Also amazing (yet not historical) is the ceiling in the center of the museum. Look up right were you enter. You can't miss it.
One of the great museums in the world, and completely free. Plan to spend a full day (or more). You will not be sorry. Also has a really good gift shop.
What is there not to LOVE about the British Museum????
When I was a student and insanely poor, this was a great place to hang out and keep warm.
Today, it is still a fabulous place to be.
Amazingly impressive history, not just of the UK, but these relics and treasures are from all around the world. Easily organized, make sure you pick up a map at the door when you enter. My mistake was not reading it properly before starting my self-led tour, because there are any number of free tours (called eyeOpeners) or at least a dozen different areas of the collection throughout the day. Or pick up one of the multimedia guides, which has a number of audio guides built in for displays throughout the Museum. Some things have a small cost or a deposit, but entrance to the Museum itself is free.
Organized into logical sections, the Museum has collections for the Enlightenment, the Greek Parthenon, Mexico, North America, Egypt, Ancient Iran and Roman Britain. Too many to list and too many to see in just one day.
There is a restaurant as well as two cafe's in the Museum, but the queues ("lines" in American) are long and the prices are high. You'll do better popping out to one of the many restaurants in the area (and if you're Yelping, they're easy to find!). The gift shop is similarly expensive. 60p for one postcard of the Rosetta Stone. Really? The ten for £1 cards were too boring.
I visited on a rainy Bank Holiday weekend, so the place was more than mobbed. I have no doubt that if you come on a weekday, you'll do better without nearly as many people walking around.
Pictures are permitted and cell phones are not (which is fine, because I wasn't getting any coverage. I'm talking to you, O2!). Don't miss the massive Great Court, the famous Rosetta Stone (mobbed!) and the Statue of Ramesses II. I'll absolutely be coming back, because it felt like there was so much to see and I know I missed loads.
There is not much I can say that hasn't been said by a million other people before. It could be argued that the British Museum is the greatest collection of historical artifacts in the world. There is no possible reason that any tourist can go to London and refuse to visit the British Museum. Pieces like the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles are just so extraordinary that any visitor to London must see them.
Listed in: A Chicago Nerd in London,…
Perhaps you are a history fan like me, who likes to wander and see the various incredible collections this museum has to offer - then you are in the right place - Welcome to the British Museum!
Some of the items I saw and absolutely loved:
The Rosetta Stone - it is absolutely stunning. I believe it was discovered in 1799 and contributed greatly to the deciphering of the principles of hieroglyph writing in 1822 by the British scientist Thomas Young and the French scholar Jean-François Champollion. The Rosetta Stone has been exhibited almost continuously in the British Museum since 1802.
Mummy of Cleopatra - her mummy, apparently, modern day analysis shows she was very attractive. The Museum has a very large Egyptian collection including a large bust of Ramesses II. The British Museum houses the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of Egyptian antiquities outside the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Amarna letters: Clay tablets of correspondence between Egypt and other kings and queens. They date back to 14th Century B.C.! (Collection of 95 out of 382 tablets found, second greatest in the world after the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesos and the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos - both are part of the seven wonder of the ancient world. Two colossal free-standing figures identified as Maussollos and his wife Artemisia.
There are also magnificent groups of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, including his only surviving full-scale cartoon and about a million British prints including more than 20,000 satires and outstanding collections of works by William Blake.
The Amravati Galley in the Asian Department is superb. These ornate carvings in limestone depict the life of Buddha and the spread of Buddhism and they date from 3rd century BCE.
The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court is a covered square at the centre of the British Museum. It opened in December 2000 and is the largest covered square in Europe. The roof is made of over 1500 unique pieces of glass. At the centre of the Great Court is the Reading Room which is open to any member of the public who wants to read there.
I have a 5000 character limit otherwise I would list everything I saw - I've been here a lot of times and have seen the museum in its entirety and each time I am in complete awe.
Tips:
Admission is FREE
Photography is allowed
Allow yourself to spend a good few hours here if not half a day
There is a café and a souvenir shop
Listed in: London Sights
I suppose living down the street from the British Museum has jaded me slightly. I forget what an amazing place it really is! My dad and sister came to visit me a few months back and were astounded by everything inside the museum. Being from California, they were even MORE amazed that a place this magnificent could be free! Indeed, like most other London-based museums there is absolutely no charge to enter the museum and for anyone remotely interested in artifacts/history, etc., be prepared for hours of wandering and picture taking. Great museum, great location and a great place for lone travelers and families alike!
Pirates. Ninjas. Vikings. Knights. The British Museum is only a couple of kittens short of an Internet-meme full house.
I'd love to be the descenting voice amongst the crowd, but I have no choice except join the Yelp-5-star herd: The British Museum is pure awesomesauce. There's little point in me pitching this review at beret-wearing arty types - they're probably stroking their beards in the Renaissance section at this very moment. No, it's my fellow nerds that may need convincing to get down to the BM for some "cul-cha." Here's my top five things to see in the British Museum:
1. The Rosetta Stone. Yeah, it's an obvious call, but without this Rough Guide to Hieroglyphics, we would know little of ancient Egypt and great modern artistic works like Stargate Atlantis, The Mummy Returns and Fifth Element would not have been possible.
2. An intricately carved ivory chess set. Proving gaming had its genesis long before the SEGA Megadrive.
3. A Viking pencil case, carved from walrus tusk. Something this ornate had to belong to a Nordic dweeb. He may have aced Rape'n'Pillage Theory 101, but - like you- he probably sucked at physical education.
4. A set of heavy brass tongs used in the castration of priests. Heh. "Nut crackers".
5. The Golden Cape of Mold. All too often the glorious civilization of North Wales is overlooked in favour of those show-off Egyptians, Babylonians and Mesopotamians. With the Cape of Mold, the BM goes some way to righting this gross injustice.
My top tip though, is a serious one: Don't try do everything, but don't plan ahead either. Entry to the BM is free - just wander in for an hour or so whenever you're in the area and let your curiosity take you where it will.
It's huge. It's amazing. It's free.
I'm normally more of a natural history museum type of person. Regular old history just isn't really my thing. Generally, exhibits featuring old pieces of clay that have been dug up and put in a glass case don't really interest me. But I think I want to live in the British Museum.
The place is absolutely packed with stuff. There is something to look at EVERYWHERE and half of it's the kind of famous thing (like the Rosetta Stone, or the Elgin marbles) that you have a little difficulty believing is actually right in front of you.
If I had to pick a favorite spot it would be the Enlightenment Gallery (probably because part of it's like a miniature natural history museum) but really every room of the museum has something awesome in it.
The only downside I can think of is that it is quite famous, and therefore quite crowded. It's also HUGE and the sheer amount of stuff can be a bit overwhelming, but if you take your time or take more than one trip there, it's not a problem at all. And I'm giving it 5 stars anyway because it's just that cool.
Listed in: Why I Never Want To Go Home, Museums of London
Maybe I should think about relocating to London... I love it here. I suppose the history and the architecture has a lot to do with it as well. I love museums and this has to be one of the most exquisite museums I have been too. The gloominess of London almost makes this place more beautiful than it already is, if that's even possible.
This place is filled with hidden treasures on display for your eyes to feast on. The Rosetta Stone is so beautiful and is definitely a highlight. I have always been fascinated with Egyptian artifacts and this museum has an extensive Egyptian collection, to fulfill the hearts and minds of any fellow Egyptian enthusiast. Quite possibly the next best thing to actually being in Egypt to see the Sphinx!
I really can't say enough wonderful things about the British Museum. If you're in London, go. Make it top on your priority list of things to do.
If you don't feel like you're into history, I promise they have something that will interest you. It starts in Assyria and goes all the way through the Enlightenment.
Possibly the best museum in the world.
I was bored in the Museum, but I can recognize that it had really interesting stuff and was FREE. It's a upscale museum too -- not shabby at all. Gifts and food is overpriced. But it's got some cool ingredients.
"It belongs in a Museum" This is definitely Indiana Jones' home away from home and exactly where he meant. Stocked full of ancient artifacts (and some new) this is room by room a history of the world and human race. 1 big love I have for this museum is that here (like many museums in London) it's free admission. Somethings to do in London are so ridiculously over expensive (see London Eye) it's nice to be able to trot off to one of London's many museums and get a little culture without emptying your wallet even more (avoid the cafes and shops though!)
I have to say probably my favorite part about this museum is it's architecture (hey I like to look at ancient stuff as much as the next guy but really there's only so much old pottery, mummies and samurai swords I can look at) wait I take back the samurai sword part, I can look at those for much longer ;). It's very impressive once you come in through the front door into this massive hall with it's amazing glass roof. I really love how they blended in the modern feel to this museum while retaining the original and gorgeous structure.
Definitely 1 of the museums that should be on the list of any London visitor (and resident).
As you stare at the pedimented frontage, you're looking at the triumph of civilisation... from the Rosetta Stone, key to decipherment of hieroglyphs, to the "modern-day Aphrodite" of Kate Moss by Marc Quinn.
It was then the reading room and library that drew many writers e.g. Dickens, Gandhi, Wilde... now the special exhibition hall of the BM. I'd luxury to follow the series of shows on great leaders of the world from the First Emperor, Babylon: Myth and Reality, to the most recent Moctezuma, Aztec Ruler...
Gazing at the turquoise mask, I'm almost obsessed by the Mexica culture: One flute is painted in blue pigment, alluding to the association between music and water; another bears a finely modelled head, conveying a sense that instruments are animated object...and the most beautiful greenstone heart, almost a sphere, with suggestions of armature and fruit. The heart pattern is also used to decorate the walls of those sacred chests...
BM may not quite stand out in the pack for New Yorkers. Until I went up Parthenon and realised that the missing frieze, i.e. the Elgin Marbles are all in BM. the restored clocks & watches gallery (Rm 38-9) is worth seeing. You learn how the mechanics works by watching the interactive media and playing yourself.
At the end of a busy day, you could pop into the Museum Tavern opposite the Museum for a quick drink. You maybe sitting in the exact same seat where Karl Max ('father of communism') sat before you :)
Listed in: Culture Vultures
Wooooowwweeeeee! This place is phenomenal. Absolutely out of this world fantastic!
As well as the content this place as the most gorgeous stunning, inspiring and mesmerising building. Walking into the main lobby I was in awe as I stood just staring at the ceiling... beautiful.
If you are interested in History, collections, artifacts, learning .. this is the place to come! It's free, it's awesome and It's fun!
Check out the "birthday invitations" in room 40, quite unique!
Magnificent, no other words.
On a rainy afternoon, I was taken to the far corners of the Earth, spanning thousands of years, seeing some of the greatest artistic contributions to humanity, civilization and art, ever created. Ancient greek statues, the Magna Carta, Incan treasures, ancient coins and jewelry, Medieval manuscripts, the Elgin Marbles....there's no limit. You will not be able to see everything in one day, maybe not even two. I can't wait to come back to the UK to wander around here!
i actually found this place by accident. I guess I went through one of the side entrances because there weren't that many people. I just saw two lions and walked towards them... Next thing I knew I was in a museum and it was pretty damn cool.
They have all types of things in here for every corner of the world. I didn't stick around all day though. Even if you're not much into history you should just come here at least once while you're in London to check out some of the cool things they have going on. I'm going to go back and take a visit on purpose one of these days. The hall in the centre is absolutely amazing. When you get there you'll know what I'm talking about.
This is my city and if I had to choose my museum I think that this would be it. I remember coming here as a little girl and as a teenager and now as a somewhat grown up person. It's the little girl inside me though that loves the beautiful objects in the big glass cases, a bit like the one that snow white slept in. But here you will not find the 7 dwarfs, maybe some tiny clay men but not dwarfs.
So I use to come here and draw a lot when I first came to London. It was a great way to spend an afternoon out the rain for free and it was actually fun to sit with a little sketch book and draw the detailed art that someone created thousands of years ago.
So if you like beautiful things this is the place to come, it feels grand and great without the pretension it could possibly have. It's totally worth the visit.
Listed in: Five star goodness of London, Happy Places in London, Must do's in London, London's Culture, Galleries and Spaces
The British Museum is one of the best places to spend a rainy day in London. There are endless treasures to captivate you, whether you're into antiquities, drawings, jewellery, or any of the other host of treasures on display at any given time. The spectacular Great Court is a sight to see.
The lecture halls and conference rooms on the lower level are some of the comfiest and well-kept in London and believe me, I've seen many!
London. I heart thee.
Being from the states (aww hush now) the museums here are, eh...ok. Unless you live in a big city like NYC, Chicago....even Dallas has some good ones. Or you can visit that small little museum of salt and pepper shakers in Arkansas? Riveting. However, the British Museum is one of my favorites in the entire world. True.
My friends wanted to go here and I'm thinking...um what? A museum on vacation...spare me. I went, more like they dragged me along....and then they were dragging me out. I wouldn't leave.
Many many wings make up this museum, its enormous. Really.
Greek Room, Roman Room, Egyptian Room...with mummy's? Check!
It's just amazing how much is actually here and what the museum was able to acquire. In the Greek room they have old structures that are huge! In the Roman room...columns of equal size. The mummies are "fresh" for lack of better words. They have this one little room strictly for OLD OLD drawings (not paintings) from DiVinci. Really amazing work. Drawings on small paper, drawn with a pencil. Say oh...few hundred years old. It's amazing to believe that these statues, drawings, sculptures are REAL! Like created hundreds, even centuries ago! The history is absolutely....ugh, I'm getting emotional.
I really have no way to describe this place other than it's absolutely amazing and London should be very proud to have something so wonderful at their fingertips. I am jealous. If I lived in London I would go weekly and visit a new room every time.
Ok enough sapp. London...high 5!
This is my favorite museum in London. Like Lizzie G. says, it's grand without pretension. It's the kind of place you can visit many many times and still not see half of it and the rest of it you'll feel happy to see over and over again!
And the mummies are really cool. They have tons of mummified pets- even a goldfish!
Highly highly recommended. There's something here for everyone.
I really loved the British Museum! We really don't have anything as good in the states (unless, like was mentioned by someone else, you live in a big city). Here in Phoenix, Arizona, the closest things to a fun museum experience I've gotten is the State Capital.. but that's nowhere near as cool as this was.
My family and I actually came here by accident. We were looking for something else at the time (though I can't remember what!) and saw the museum. We went in and spent close to two or three hours and STILL didn't come close to seeing everything we'd wanted to see.
I was 16 when we went, but I've always been a history "nerd," so this and the Tower were my favorite parts of the entire 8 day trip. Mummies, mideval artifacts, Greek collections, etc etc.. it was all fascinating. I can't wait til' I make it back to London because I'll surely be stopping in.
The Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles were amazing. We went in about 30 minutes before closing which was just enough time to run the gauntlet on the ground floor. Most of the crowd had dispersed at that hour and the docent was free enough to tell us about the controversy around the Greek collection. Seems the Brit has custody of the entire contents of the Parthenon or some such landmark. If you actually went to Greece right now, you'd see columns and bare walls, but the friezes peeled gently off and housed securely in London. Nice. Saves me a trip.
This place is incredible. I went to the V&A Museum and thought they had some cool things. The British Museum blows any museum out of the water. One of the nice perks of taxing residents of London so much, is that it gives us travelers free access to the museums. Thanks.
Right when you walk into the place, my breath was taken away. The Great Court is just gorgeous. This is the main area right in the middle that you can branch off towards the exhibits. Since this was my first time here, I immediately went straight to the world famous Rosetta Stone. It definitely had the most foot traffice than any of the other exhibits. So, I snapped my pic and moved on.
I have never seen so many ancient artifacts/art in my life. The over 5000 year old well preserved Mummy that goes by the name of "Ginger" was amazing. The preservation of this human is unreal and I couldn't believe that much was still left after that many years.
I could go on and on about this place, but the bottom line is that it's just amazing. It has something for everyone and if you aren't left speechless when you leave, then you're doing it wrong.
There is a lot of booty in here. Booty that the Brits have acquired from all over the world. Housed all under one gorgeous roof, this is one of the best museums in the world. It is free to the public, so be sure to visit it at least once while in town. The British Museum has a very impressive collection and some of the most famous pieces in the world. Start out in the Great Court and take a look at the roof and sculptures before you begin your stroll. Right next to the Great Court is the Rosetta Stone. You'll definitely want to take the time to check out the slab of stone that enabled the hieroglyphs that you'll see on just about every piece in this room to finally be deciphered. There is a huge bust of Rameses (I said huge bust) and a black obelisk in this room. The Parthenon sculptures are right nearby also. "Ginger" a perfectly preserved body from 3250 BC is incredible to see. You will also want to take some time to visit the vast Asian and Islamic exhibits.
Free booty at its best.
Listed in: Culture Club, London calling
This was where I first fell in love with the United Kingdom. I went here 3 times in my first week in the UK, during the January cold snap. Walking through the bracing cold and then entering the breathtaking main hall of the British Museum is one of my fondest memories so far of my time in England. (I tell this to English people and they look at me as if I'm a crazed loon...who enjoys English winter?)
Another fond memory occurred shortly after, when I was walking around, turned a corner, and almost bumped into the Rosetta Stone. I hadn't known that this was located in the British Museum so that was a pretty astonishing moment. But really, time spent in the British Museum is a series of one surprise after another.
Thank you pillaging Englishmen for putting together such an amazing collection! It may have been wrong at the time but the end result is incomparable. I also quite enjoy the free guided tours of various parts that are on throughout the day.
I can't believe I used the word breathtaking in this review. Fortunately the British Museum is not as lame as I am.
so much to see so little time! jaapie come here looking for Rembrandts and de Koonings, but find so much more. and the beautiful womans here, so many, like paintings, so beautiful, like paintings.
it take many many hours to see everything but so worth time. to bad they not like rook de pot in men room.
Let me just sing along here with the rest of the choir.. Here are 2 reasons why it makes no sense *not* to visit the British Museum when you're in London..
1. It is free.
2. You get to stand in close proximity to and gaze upon things that were gazed upon by famous remarkable historical characters from long ago.. and are now objects of current controversy.
Well.. OK a lot of places in London offer up history... I mean throughout London lots of English kings and queens and scientists and writers .. seem to be buried underfoot, uhm, about anywhere you walk.. But at the British Museum.. thanks to 19th Century British Imperialist adventurist plunder.. you can stand in close proximity to items gazed upon by even *more* ancient personages.. from lands even farther and farther away than England..
Like, for instance, the Parthenon marble frieze AKA the "Elgin Marbles.." .. you can stand inches away, in climate-controlled comfort, from the very same and remarkable statuary that was commissioned and probably gazed upon by *Pericles* .. leader of the short-lived but immortalized Golden Age of Athens. The frieze, running around the top of the Parthenon's perimeter, was cut off in blocks which were then were spirited away from Greece, century before last, by the Earl of Elgin with permission of the Ottoman Turks (the occupying foreign rulers of Greece at that time) .. And are now the object of contention between Greece (which has constructed a very beautiful climate-controlled museum of its own with facilities to display the marbles *if and when they are ever properly returned to their rightful country of origin*) and Britain..
I believe most modern day Brits would concede the point.. but returning these objects would sort of be conceding that practically *all* the prominent foreign objects residing in this place as a result of 19th Century plunder.. ought .. (really) be returned to where they were gotten from.. And then there would be no British Museum.. If you were on the governing board of the British Museum what a thorny ethical dilemma!
But fortunately for you.. you are *not*.. You are just a tourist. Your mission is simple.. as long as the British Museum and all the artifacts it holds within are where they are.. you must pay it a visit and take in with your eyes.. as much as you can.
The British Museum is one of those quintessential (and free!) aspects of London one must visit. Yes the Egyptian artifacts and mummies are great, but all of the art from ancient Greece, the Near East, Far East and Africa are equally amazing as well. The architecture is amazing and the space is so expansive that it can be a bit daunting at first. But if you take your time and choose what you want to see, it's perfect.
The Egyptian exhibits were great but I really loved the Asian art and the traveling exhibits and themed rooms. I love also that they have tours in the different parts of the museum at different times so you can focus on your specific area of interest.
The one negative point was the architectural organization and the amount of closed paths/stairwells. I was unable to find my way to certain areas of the museum because of the organization. However, I did find my way into some rooms I would not have seen normally because of this roundabout organization, so that's nice.
Absolutely fantastic. 5 giant stars
Listed in: Culture Vultures
This is the grandest building I have had the honour of setting foot in. Wow, wow, wow! So big, so vast, so awe inspiring.
The Egyptian room has a magical element that is breath-taking. It is truly incredible to be in the same room as some of these artefacts.
This is an ABSOLUTE must see place.
Listed in: My 5* Hotspots, Culture Vultures, Dates that are Different
Rosetta Stone INDEED!
I was stupefied to realize 8 years ago that I lived near the British Museum a few stints back and neglected to visit the British Museum.
I think silly people like me tend to neglect things that are so near (yet so far). Case in point - I've lived in SFO and have never been to Alcatraz, I lived in Manila and never have been to the Mayon Volcano, we have been a Roman (Italian citizen) and have never been, oh wait I have been, - but they- my family - have never been to the "bones museum" ( Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on the Via Veneto near Piazza Barberini in Rome, Italy).
So I made my point.
In this trip I made it a point to stop by London for two reasons: to serve as a reprieve and mend my broken heart in anticipation of my Old World vacation; and more importantly to see the British Museum and the Rosetta Stone.
Goals were fulfilled!
All I can say was this - was I an IDIOT?????????? Why did I waste my time elsewhere back in the days instead of spending days here?
Second, bad idea to walk around during summer - it is PACKED with people that come in between YOU and the relics of antiquity.
I saw the Rosetta Stone and I was happy.
I walked as much as I could, I absorbed.
This is a MUST!
One lesson learned - this museum trip allowed me to appreciate my Istanbul museums trip simply because there was not as much foot traffic in Istanbul. In Istanbul, my experience was intimate. In here, it was enmasse.
Listed in: food for the intellect
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Loves got the world in motion And I know what we…
