British Museum Free

Founded in 1753, the British Museum in Bloomsbury has a collection covering two million years of history. Showcasing human knowledge in all forms, it was the world’s first public museum of its kind and attracts more than six million visitors each year.

What is there to do at the British Museum?

Find cultural treasures, both ancient and modern, all under one roof. Highlights of the British Museum’s collection include Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Sculptures.

Travel from Ancient Greece and Egypt, to Africa and China, or from Roman Britain to Medieval Europe in more than 60 free galleries centred around the magnificent Great Court.

Alongside the vast permanent collection, there are regular British Museum exhibitions focused on people, places, stories from the past and key themes for the present and future. Keep an eye out for exciting events based on the exhibitions.

Is the museum free?

The British Museum is free to enter and includes access to its permanent galleries. Special exhibitions usually require a fee. Although this attraction is free to visit, you must book a timed entry ticket in advance to guarantee entry – some walk-up tickets are available each day, but entry is not guaranteed.

How can I book tickets?

Although the British Museum is free to enter you must book a timed entry ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Paid-for British Museum tickets are usually also required for key exhibitions.

How long does it take to explore?

With so much to discover, you could spend a week walking around the British Museum and not see it all!

Book a two-hour guided British Museum tour to see the highlights and to learn more about the exhibits.

Make a day of it by stopping off at some of the cafes and restaurants at the British Museum, including afternoon tea at the Great Court Restaurant.

You can also pick up gifts, books and more at the ground floor Great Court Shop and Collections Shop.

Where is the British Museum?

The British Museum is in Bloomsbury, in central London. It’s a short walk from Covent Garden, Fitzrovia and Euston.

How to get there

The British Museum is handily located close to four London Tube stations, with Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square and Goodge Street all within eight minutes’ walk.

Various bus routes also run close to the museum, with route 14 stopping directly outside.

There are Santander Cycles docking stations within two minutes’ walk of the museum, on the corner of Great Russell Street and Montague Street. If you’re using your own bike, make use of the cycle racks at the main entrance.

What are the British Museum's opening times?

The British Museum is open daily, from 10am to 5pm.