About
The British Museum stands on Great Russell Street in London, in the Bloomsbury area of the city. It is a museum of art and artefacts gathered from across the world, and many visitors come for its best-known objects: the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummies, and the Greek sculptures.
What you will see
- The Rosetta Stone, one of the museum's most famous objects, long a key to understanding ancient Egyptian writing.
- Egyptian mummies, displayed alongside other objects from ancient Egypt.
- Greek sculptures, which give a sense of the art of the classical world.
The collections cover a wide range of cultures and periods, so a single visit can take in very different parts of the world's history and art.
Planning your visit
Because the museum holds such large collections, it rewards a visit with a plan. Choose a few galleries or objects you most want to see, rather than trying to cover everything in one go. The Rosetta Stone and the mummies are good starting points if you are new to the museum.
For opening times, tickets and any current information, contact the museum by phone on +44 20 7323 8299 before you set out.
The area around it
The museum sits in Bloomsbury, a district of London known for its squares, bookshops and university buildings. It is an easy place to combine with a walk, a meal or a visit to other nearby sights, and it suits a half day or a full day in the city.