A wide shot of the Great Court with the roof and Reading Room in view

The British Museum

Welcome to the British Museum

Experience cultures across the globe, from the dawn of human history to the present. 

Plan your visit

Discover two million years of human history and culture

Free entry – book online

Open today: 10.00–17.00

Last entry: 16.45

Exhibitions and events

See all exhibitions and events

Visit the Museum

  • Woman in gallery space looking at a statue of a figure standing on right leg, dancing.

    Plan your visit

    Book tickets and plan your day including exhibitions, facilities, access, food and travel.
  • The Great Court Restaurant.

    Museum map

    Navigate the Museum with ease, using our floor-by-floor plan and discover what not to miss.
  • Visitors examining the Rosetta Stone in the Egyptian Sculpture gallery

    Galleries

    Walk through two million years of history and culture across more than 50 galleries.
  • A family looking at a sculpture in the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos

    Family visits

    From family facilities to activities and events, discover how to make the most of your day at the Museum.

What's online...

  • Heart-shaped gold pendant with enamel rose and pomegranate, suspended from a hand-shaped clasp on a gold-link chain

    Britain's greatest treasure finds

    Whether found by accident or by detectorists, in potato fields or on the beach, discoveries by members of the public are reshaping history.
  • A colourful Japanese print of mount Fuji, waterways and trees appears across the walls of a 360 screen

    Hiroshige at The Outernet

    Get a taste of the 5-star exhibition on the streets of London with a free floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree experience on Tottenham Court Road.
  • Limestone carving of the Buddha flanked by four figures

    Introduction to 'Ancient India: living traditions'

    Discover the origins of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sacred art in the nature spirits of ancient India – and how it lives on 2,000 years later.
  • A family of four approach the British Museum. They each have backpacks and are walking in front of some pillars

    Visiting as a family?

    From special object trails to Museum Missions, make the most of your visit or explore at home with these fun free activities for kids.

UK and the world

  • Scientist using a laser to clean a headdress.

    Research

    Driving the care, display and understanding of the collection, find out about projects, studentships and publications.
  • Four of the Lewis Chessmen on the board facing the viewer.

    Departments

    Learn about our research departments, outreach, training, study rooms and access to the collection.
  • A visitor examines an exhibit in Courtly India, Room 47

    National

    Find out how the Museum shares expertise and the collection across more than 250 UK cultural organisations.
  • A tour of the Museum, arranged under the Iraq Scheme

    International

    Loans, research and touring exhibitions are some of the many ways we build ties internationally. See our current collaborations.

Explore the collection

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