How to visit and what to see at the British Museum in London

In your tourist trip to London, one of the must-sees is the British museum, which is reflected in the fact that it is the London's most visited tourist attraction.

El British museum It is possibly the institution with the largest sample of artistic objects of the ancient world.

This museum houses an impressive collection of more than six million pieces, its most important sections being those dedicated to Egypt, Greece, Roma y Mesopotamia.

El British museum, popularly known as the British, is located in the London neighborhood of Bloombury, in an impressive neoclassical building, which will be easy for you to recognize by its characteristic façade of large Ionic columns.

Curiosities history of the British Museum in London

This building was completed in 1847 to house the large collection that could no longer fit in the old headquarters of the institution.

For its part, the origin of the museum itself is in the private collection of Sir Hans Sloane, a London doctor who had collected more than 80.000 objects, including minerals, insects, coins, etc...

After his death in 1753, this collection was acquired by the British State, and then enriched with the collections of George II y George III.

It was in the 19th century when the British museum It was enriched by the great archaeological finds, whose transfer to London was in many cases very controversial at the time.

Among these impressive objects, the Elin marbles, or of Parthenon, Rosetta stone and the collection of egyptian mummies.

La Visit to the British Museum is completely free, so when you decide to visit it, you should not be surprised that there are a large number of tourists.

The fact is that its more than five million visitors a year convert to British is one of most visited museums in the world.

How to visit the British Museum in London

After accessing the British museum Through its large façade of Ionic columns, you will reach a huge covered interior patio with a very modern design.

You are before the one known as the Great Atrium of Elizabeth II, inaugurated in December 2000, and designed by the prestigious British architect N.

This is the largest covered square in Europe, with its upper steel and glass structure.

In the center of this space is the large Reading room, which you can enter freely to read or, at least, to be surprised by its design.

The collection exhibited in the British museum It extends over two floors through rooms that surround the large atrium, although the largest number of them are found on the ground floor, on the left side as you enter the museum.

It is in this area of ​​the ground floor of the British Museum where they find the spectacular ones collections of Egyptian, Greek and Mesopotamian art objects.

On this ground floor you also have the collection of asian art, especially from China.

In the second floor, north of Great Atrium, you can visit the spectacular Egyptian sarcophagi and mummies.

Likewise, on this floor you have the collection of medieval european art.

What is essential to see when visiting the British Museum

Obviously, the essential visit of the British Museum during your trip to london You can do it on your own, but the enormous collection that this great museum houses undoubtedly makes it difficult to appreciate it properly.

As a consequence you find yourself with the problem of missing some of the corners or essential works that you should see during your visit.

Furthermore, said visit will be conditioned by the time you have available for it, which will make it advisable to take one or another itinerary through this great London museum.

To facilitate you see the essential works of the British Museum, the museum itself offers you two tours different ones that will follow you guide for your visit.

How to visit the British Museum in an hour

On the one hand you have the itinerario for the visit lasts only one hour, in which you can see the Rosette Stone or sculptures of Parthenon.

How to visit the British Museum in three hours

On the other hand, itinerario to a three-hour visit which already allows you not to miss any of the most important objects of the British museum.

How to visit the British Museum with children

And it also offers you another itinerary to see the British Museum with children which includes twelve essential objects.

Audio guide to the British Museum in London

In any case, the British Museum audio guide It is an essential service to be able to delve deeper into your collection.

At audioguide you have Information in spanish of more than 260 objects from 61 different galleries, not only with sound comments, but also with video.

El audio guide price It costs 4,99 pounds and you can rent it at the counter next to the museum entrance, in the large covered central courtyard known as the Great Atrium.

Guided tours in the British Museum of London

But perhaps instead of going on your own and using the audio guide you would prefer to participate in a Guided tour (in English) of the British Museum.

For this purpose you have several official tours in english, such as the one called “Around the World” which lasts 70 minutes in groups of up to eight people.

The price of this guided tour in English It is 14 pounds, and they take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11,30:14 a.m. and XNUMX p.m.

But you also have the option of a Free guided tour in English at the British Museum, which are carried out every day by volunteers, lasting 40 minutes.

As a complement, on the official website you have the plan of the rooms of the British Museum in London

Visiting times for the British Museum in London

The Visiting hours of the British Museum in London They are every day of the week, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m., with last access at 15,30:XNUMX p.m.

To take into account that the Friday you can visit the museum until 20,30 hours.

Book tickets for the British Museum

La visit to the British Museum is free, but due to the usual large influx of public and capacity limitations, it is highly recommended book a ticket in advance of your visit, with access every 10 minutes.