British Museum

About

The British Museum opened in 1753 as the world’s first national public museum and has offered free entry ever since, making it one of the essential things to do in London. Located in the heart of London, it houses more than 8 million objects displayed across over 60 galleries that trace the story of human civilisation. Few places represent London history as vividly as this vast institution, where collections connect the city to cultures across the globe. Among the most famous exhibits are the Rosetta Stone, which unlocked Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Parthenon Marbles, the Lewis Chessmen, the Sutton Hoo treasure, and the extensive Egyptian mummy rooms. The Great Court, redesigned in 2000 with a sweeping glass roof by Norman Foster, forms Europe’s largest covered public square and stands as an architectural highlight in its own right. Visitors often spend at least half a day exploring, while dedicated museum lovers return for multiple visits. The museum attracts London people and international travellers alike, reinforcing the city’s global identity, symbolised by the Union Jack often mistaken as the London flag.