The British Museum is an incredible place—one that could easily fill the pages with entire volumes. In the article below, I’ll introduce you to the highlights of this iconic London museum. You’ll discover its fascinating history as well as the stories behind some of the many artifacts housed there. And there truly are a vast number of them. I’ve gathered information about the most interesting items in the museum’s collection, along with plenty of intriguing facts.

Museums are extraordinary and captivating places where the dust of centuries quietly settles. Thousands of exhibits, meticulously described and studied, come from every corner of the globe. Glass display cases, silence, dim lighting, and an atmosphere brimming with mystery—what’s not to love about museums?

The world’s great museums and their important role as memorials to human development

During our travels around the world, we’ve had the chance to visit many renowned museum institutions. In New York, we explored the Museum of Natural History, where we followed the story of life on Earth—from humble single-celled organisms to the complex beings that exist today. In Washington D.C., we strolled through the spacious halls of the National Air and Space Museum. The objects and devices on display there tell the story of humankind’s dream to break free from Earth and discover what more the universe has to offer. Then there was the magnificent Musée du Louvre in Paris, housed in a former royal palace—an unforgettable experience. And of course, a place that simply had to be on our list: the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków. It holds one of the finest art collections in this part of Europe.

Beyond these major institutions, we’ve also had the pleasure of visiting many other museums—some well-known, others hidden gems. There are many we hope to return to in the future, and even more that still awaits our first visit. But today, I want to tell you about the largest museum in the United Kingdom, and one of the greatest in the world: the legendary British Museum in London.

The British Museum in London

The British Museum is housed in a massive building in the prestigious Bloomsbury district of London. It borders academic institutions such as the University of London, founded in 1836 and now home to numerous university departments worldwide. In addition, renowned libraries, intellectual associations, research institutes, and publishing houses are located nearby.

How the British Museum in London came to be

It’s easiest to tell the history of the British museum through a timeline, broken down into key events. As you can probably imagine, such a venerable, rich, and respected institution has a remarkable past and was the site of many events that paved the way for modern museums.

So let’s start from the beginning.

1687 – The creation of Sir Hans Sloane’s collection – the foundations of the future British Museum

The year 1687 marked the beginning of something remarkable: an Irish physician, Sir Hans Sloane—an avid naturalist and biologist—opened his personal collection of plants and animals to the public. At first, the collection was modest, but it quickly began to grow. A pivotal moment came when he travelled to Jamaica, where he served as the personal physician to the governor of the new colony. While practicing medicine, he also engaged in business ventures. Owning vast sugar plantations, Sir Sloane amassed a considerable fortune.

He used the wealth he earned in Jamaica to expand his collection. Eventually, collecting individual items was no longer enough—he began purchasing entire collections from other collectors.

He bought, traded, and accepted as gifts anything that came his way. He maintained friendships with many travellers and merchants of his time, who ventured across the globe. His initial assortment of flora and fauna soon expanded to include minerals, coins, books, and antiquities. Later, he added furniture and anything else he believed held historical, scientific, or aesthetic value.

As his life drew to a close, Sir Hans Sloane made a remarkable gesture: he bequeathed his entire collection to the British Crown. The only condition he set was that the collection be placed in a public institution, accessible to everyone.

1753 – The British Museum Act is passed by Parliament

In 1753, the British Parliament, after receiving Sir Hans Sloan’s collection, passed the British Museum Act. It was the first public museum in the world. The institution opened its doors to the public on January 15, 1759.

The British Museum and its history and development

The British Museum’s first home was the seventeenth-century Montahue House in the Bloomsbury district of London. At its inception, the museum had only three departments: manuscripts, books, drawings, and maps, along with coins and medals. However, the collection grew rapidly as the museum received substantial sums from private donors to expand its collection.

1807 – The antiquities department is established

In 1807, the Department of Antiquities was officially established at the British Museum, sparking great excitement and interest. Ancient artifacts began pouring into London from across the vast British Empire. It was during this period that the famous Rosetta Stone and the remarkable ancient sculptures known as the Elgin Marbles arrived at the museum. These marbles had been removed from Greece by Lord Elgin, who was serving at the time as the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which then controlled nearly all of Greece.

Lord Elgin—whose full name was Thomas Bruce—was responsible for acquiring a vast number of reliefs, statues, and columns from the Acropolis in Athens. Over a span of eleven years, he secured hundreds of ancient works of art for Britain. British crews removed decorations from ancient temples using crowbars, hammers, saws, and even dynamite. Their methods were so aggressive that they gave rise to a new and infamous archaeological term: “Elginism“—used to describe the plundering and extraction of stone ornaments and sculptures from historical sites.

Despite ethical concerns and ongoing controversy, the British Crown officially purchased all the marbles and artifacts brought back by Elgin in 1816. To this day, these items remain on display in the galleries of the British Museum.

1850 – The British Museum is enlarged with a new wing

In 1850, it was decided that the museum building was too small and could not accommodate any more. Therefore, another wing was built, housing the great library belonging to King George III. The King’s Library’s book collection included nearly 70,000 printed and manuscript books. Thanks to the new building, the British Museum became one of the largest museums of its time.

1865 – Creation of the forbidden collection

The year 1865 saw the creation of a restricted collection within the British Museum. It was called the Museum Secretum and housed thousands of artifacts deemed inappropriate or indecent by the prudish Victorian authorities. This forbidden section of the museum remained hidden from the public until 1953, when the items were gradually brought back into the light and integrated into various public exhibitions.

Legend has it, however, that a significant part of the secret collection remains hidden. The works allegedly stored there are said to touch on themes of magic, mysticism, and subjects that might challenge or even disrupt our conventional understanding of history. Whispers speak of evidence of extraterrestrial beings or advanced pre-human civilizations that once inhabited the Earth.

Of course, these are just legends and old tales… or are they? 🙂

1881 – The Natural History Department is established

In 1881, a new building opened, and the entire collection from the Natural History Department was transferred to it. This department grew so rapidly that in 1963, the decision was made to create a separate museum: the Natural History Museum of London. Today, it houses nearly 80 million objects, making it one of the largest natural history museums in the world.

1973 – Establishment of the National Library of Great Britain

In 1973, a new institution called the British Library was established. All of the book and manuscript collections were transferred from the British Museum and became part of one of the world’s largest libraries. It houses over 150 million books, manuscripts, maps, papyri, and other library items. The British Library’s collections include such marvels as the Codex Sinaiticus, discovered in 1844, which contains one of the Great Bible Codes. It is the only original text of the New Testament existing.

2000 – The glass dome named after Queen Elizabeth II is built

The year 2000 was a significant year in the history of the British Museum. It was then that the great court was covered with a glass dome, and the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court was created. By covering the court with a roof, the London museum gained a vast space, which now houses restaurants, gift shops, temporary exhibitions, and information points.

2003 – Opening of the Enlightenment section

A few years later, in 2003, an exhibition dedicated to the Age of Enlightenment, known as The Age of the Awakening of Reason, opened. It is housed in the former Royal Library building.

The British Museum and How to Plan Your Visit

The British Museum is one of the largest in the world. Exploring such an immense collection of art and history is no easy task. That’s why it’s important to plan your visit carefully, have clear expectations, and set a realistic itinerary. Ideally, you’d want to spend a few days exploring the museum’s many rooms and galleries. Even then, you still wouldn’t manage to see half of the exhibits—let alone take the time to truly understand them.

However, even with limited time, you can make your visit worthwhile by dividing it into sections and focusing on specific themes. Most of us aren’t aiming to see everything, but rather those areas that truly interest us. In my case, it was the Egyptian collection, Ancient Greece, and medieval Europe—plus a few of the museum’s most iconic pieces.

To help you decide what you’d like to see most, below I’ll list the museum’s main departments along with the most important works of art you simply shouldn’t miss.

The British Museum and its departments and the collections collected therein

The British Museum has sixty galleries with a wide variety of exhibitions. They are located in the museum’s basement, ground floor, and first floor.

Collections gathered in the museum’s basement – The Sainsbury African Galleries

In the basement of the British Museum in London, you’ll find a fascinating section dedicated to Africa – the Sainsbury African Galleries. This gallery showcases a wide range of everyday objects and artworks brought from the African continent. In addition to the exhibits, there’s a wealth of information and source material about the history of Africa and the people who live there. The displays include traditional weapons once used on African savannas, vessels, garments, and jewelry.

A visit to this part of the museum reveals that Africa is not static, as many mistakenly believe, but is evolving toward modernity—though in ways quite different from other parts of the world. Unfortunately, these changes do not always lead to positive outcomes. Cultural evolution in Africa is often accompanied by violence, abuse, and growing poverty for many of its inhabitants.

One of the exhibits that left a strong emotional impact on us was a tree surrounded by animals, all made from parts of pistols, rifles, and other steel weapons. This powerful sculpture is meant to symbolize the darker side of the changes taking place on the African continent.

Collections on the ground floor of the museum in London

The ground floor of the museum houses 28 exhibition rooms, including artifacts from the ancient world.

Below you’ll find a list of what we consider the most interesting rooms on the ground floor of the British Museum. This will help you navigate this incredible maze of rooms, display cases, and countless artifacts, dating from ancient times to more recent eras.

The British Museum and the rooms on the ground floor of the museum that we found most interesting

  • Room 1 (virtual tour) is a collection of works of art from the Age of Enlightenment. This was a period in which people abandoned religious and social constraints, opening up many new directions in art and science. It was also the age of geographical discovery and the birth of colonialism, of which slavery was an inglorious part. The latter also features in the exhibition – the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
  • Room 2 (virtual tour) is titled “Collecting the World” and is dedicated to the people whose collections became part of the British Museum.
  • Room 4 (virtual tour) is the Egyptian sculpture section, which will teach you about the history, rise, and fall of Ancient Egypt. We particularly enjoyed this section, as it houses wonders such as the Rosetta Stone. The Egyptian room also boasts many other antiquities unearthed from the sands of the Egyptian desert. A fantastic place, we highly recommend it.
  • Rooms 6 to 10 (virtual tour) are dedicated to ancient Assyria. Stone sculptures from ancient palaces and temples are collected here. In the display cases, you’ll see bas-reliefs, weapons, ornaments, and other artifacts. Stone panels with bas-reliefs depicting lion hunts are particularly interesting exhibits. This was a favourite pastime of the Assyrian court.
  • Rooms 12 to 21 (virtual tour) are filled with artifacts from Ancient Greece. For us, this was the place where we spent most of our time at the British Museum. The spacious halls house artifacts from the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures. Here, you’ll find beautiful sculptures by Greek master carvers, as well as fabulously colourful ceramics, jewellery, and weapons. All the objects come from the areas of ancient Sparta and Athens. It is here that the famous Elgin Marbles—known as the sculptor of ancient temples—are located.
  • Room number 22 (Virtual Tour) is dedicated to Alexander the Great, known as Alexander the Great. This room houses memorabilia from the world under the rule of the Alexandrian army.
  • Room number 24 (Virtual Tour) is titled Living and Dying. It houses artifacts and art dedicated to the culture of life and death in various parts of the world and time. This interesting section allows us to observe the enormous similarities in people’s attitudes towards death, even in the most distant places.
  • Room 95 (virtual tour) is filled with a collection of ceramics donated to the British Museum by the collector Sir Joseph Hotung. Beautiful vases, bowls, and other objects of fine Chinese ceramics span a period from several hundred years BC to the present day.

The British Museum and its upstairs collections

The rooms on the upper floors of the British Museum are divided into sections, many of which tell the story of Europe and the rest of the world. A significant portion of the exhibits here concern ancient Arab culture, Babylon, and Assyria. There is also a very extensive section on Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Separate sections contain coins, clocks, weapons, and everyday objects from almost every culture, both present and ancient, of the world. Below, I will describe the rooms in the museum that I found particularly interesting. Of course, this is my personal selection and does not detract from other areas of the museum not included in this list.

  • Rooms 38 to 39 (virtual tour) are dedicated to clocks. As a child, I remember my father repairing watches. The tiny, endlessly rotating springs and gears seemed magical and difficult to understand. Today, even though I’ve gained a more in-depth understanding of the mechanics and operating principles, old clocks still hold a certain magic. Besides, the old mechanisms are simply beautiful. In the display cases and rooms in this section of the British Museum, you’ll find timepieces from various eras and places around the world. A fantastic department, I highly recommend it.
  • Room 40 (virtual tour) is dedicated to European medieval art. Although I’m not particularly fond of sacred or religious art, I truly enjoyed this section. Among other things, you’ll see the famous 12th-century chess set found on the Scottish Isle of Lewis. These are the original chess pieces used nearly nine hundred years ago.
  • Rooms 41 to 48 (virtual tour) explore the history of Europe and Islam. Here, you can view monuments and art from the beginning of the first millennium to the present day. Browsing through the collections, it’s hard not to notice a pattern that appears in both Islamic and European art and science. Namely, in the Islamic world, science flourished, and scientific knowledge grew in almost every field, until religion took precedence over science in the Arab world. Science collapsed, and knowledge was replaced by populism, violence, and ignorance. In the European world, the opposite was true. The Dark Ages of the Middle Ages were a stagnation for reason. Only during the Enlightenment, when religion was pushed aside, did the Western world accelerate its development, reaching today’s unprecedented heights of knowledge.
  • Room 49 (Virtual Tour) depicts the British Isles under Roman occupation. Here, works of art and culture left behind by the Roman invaders are collected. Here you’ll find hundreds of artifacts, vessels, sculptures, weapons, ornaments, and many other extraordinary memorabilia.
  • Room 50 (virtual tour) is dedicated to the history of the Celts, Britons, and Germans. The artifacts collected here describe the ancient customs, religion, and rituals of the ancient Celtic peoples. It’s remarkable how many current festivals and ceremonies have their roots in the culture of long-vanished tribes. This is a very intriguing section of the museum.
  • Room 61 (Virtual Tour) is dedicated to everyday life in Ancient Egypt. The wall paintings depicting people and their daily activities are fascinating. In addition, this room displays the furnishings of the burial chamber of the royal scribe Nebamun, dating back to 1350 BC.
  • Room 68 (Virtual Tour) is filled with coins of all kinds. They come from all over the world and tell the story of humanity’s pursuit of wealth. Here, you can learn about the first, tentative attempts to introduce money into the market.
  • Rooms 69 to 73 (Virtual Tour) are dedicated to life in Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as the extraordinary history of Cyprus. Cyprus was inhabited as early as 12,000 years ago and, due to its location, played a key role in the Mediterranean for centuries. The collection of exhibits is rich and incredibly interesting. No matter how you look at it, it documents several thousand years of history. Of course, you shouldn’t miss the collections related to ancient Rome and Greece. In fact, this section of the museum would keep you busy for several long days.
  • Room 90 (Prints and Drawings displays) is filled with a vast collection of European drawings and prints, spanning the 13th century to the present day. Here, you’ll see sketches by Michelangelo and Goya. Picasso’s works, which served as early blueprints for his future works, are particularly interesting. Furthermore, the display cases house beautiful, hand-decorated postcards and satirical Victorian prints. The entire collection contains over 50,000 prints and sketches, as well as nearly 2 million prints from various periods.
  • Rooms 92 to 94 (Japanese Galleries) are located on the top floor of the British Museum. Here, you’ll find a wealth of information about the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. The collection is arranged so that visitors can immerse themselves in Japan from its earliest history to the present day. Furthermore, the Japanese people’s relationship with other parts of the world is explained in a fascinating way. Among the collections are numerous ancient, traditional weapons, both ceremonial and combat. The staging of a traditional Japanese street and its houses is quite impressive. Interestingly, The Mitsubishi Corporation sponsors the collection.

The above description of the rooms in the British Museum demonstrates its vastness and richness of subject. Remember, each room is enormous and contains hundreds, often thousands, of exhibits.

The British Museum and the most interesting exhibits you should see

Of course, it’s impossible to list even a fraction of the most interesting collections at the British Museum in London. Besides, preferences vary, and everyone is looking for something different. The following list of the museum’s most valuable works of art is our personal choice, created with the help of a professional guide. I assume each of you will create a different list, significantly different from ours. We would be extremely grateful if you would share yours with us.

The Sutton Hoo Hoard, an ancient tomb from East Anglia

The Sutton Hoo treasure is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in Europe. It was unearthed in 1939 in eastern England.

The find consisted of a nearly 30-meter-long ship, which served as the burial chamber for the last great king of East Anglia. This ruler is believed to have died around the year 625. Based on the engravings and decorations found on objects within the burial, researchers concluded that the king had once converted to Christianity, but eventually returned to the old pagan beliefs.

Inside the tomb, archaeologists discovered royal banners, ornaments, and trophies. There were also golden vessels, weapons, armor, and other burial goods meant to aid the deceased in his journey to the afterlife.

The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, the great Assyrian king

This Assyrian obelisk was discovered in the mid-19th century in what is now modern-day Iraq. It dates back to the reign of King Shalmaneser III, who transformed the young Assyrian state into a war machine and ushered in an era of conquest.

The carvings on the Black Obelisk depict scenes of violence and domination under his rule. In addition to battle accounts, the obelisk also features a biblical figure—King Jehu of Israel—who appears in the Old Testament.

Rosetta Stone

This stone tablet, originating from the port of Rosetta, was discovered by the French in 1799 during Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt.

What seemed like an ordinary stone at first turned out to be a groundbreaking discovery that allowed scholars to decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. This was possible because the text on the stone was written in three scripts—two versions of Egyptian and one in Greek.

The content of the text is a decree honouring Pharaoh Ptolemy V, issued on the anniversary of his coronation, dating back to 196 BCE.

Elgin Marbles

The Elgin Marbles are ancient sculptures originating from Athens. They were brought to London by Lord Elgin, who forcefully removed them from the Parthenon temples.

It is believed that Elgin caused significant damage during the removal process, resulting in the permanent loss of many ancient artifacts and stone decorations from the temples.

For nearly two centuries, the Greek government has been seeking the return of these sculptures. Negotiations continue at various levels of authority, but ultimately, obstacles have always prevented an agreement. Regardless, the magnificent marbles remain on display at the British Museum.

Koh-I-Noor Diamond

The diamond known as the Koh-i-Noor is a precious stone originating from India, weighing over 100 carats. It is currently set in the royal crown, forming the central part of the cross. The crown is part of the British royal family’s insignia of power.

Although the diamond can be seen daily at the Tower of London, it also appears alongside the royal regalia at the British Museum.

Just as the Greeks seek the return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens, the Indians wish to reclaim the diamond, which once belonged to the ruler of Lahore.

Exhibits from the ancient city of Ur

The ancient city of Ur was the capital of the Ur empire, located in what is now modern-day Iraq. Some believe it to be the birthplace of the biblical Abraham.

The city dates back over 4,000 years, and excavations there have helped establish precise timelines of this ancient and mysterious civilization’s development. An interesting fact is that after nearly two thousand years of remarkable growth, the city was abandoned, with its streets and buildings swallowed by the desert.

At the British Museum, you can admire gold and silver jewelry from Ur, as well as many everyday objects, weapons, and pottery.

Collections of coins and medals

The British Museum has amassed an enormous collection of coins and medals. These exhibits illustrate the development of currency worldwide, from the earliest times to the latest electronic innovations.

Documents and records found in the museum’s display cases and storage reveal that there are over 200,000 coins in total. The oldest coins date back nearly 3,000 years.

The famous Portland Vase

The vase was discovered in an ancient tomb near Rome in 1582.

Initially, it belonged to Cardinal Francesco Maria, and later became part of the extensive collection of the Italian Barberini family. Due to debts, the Barberinis had to sell part of their collection. It was during this time that the vase made its way to the British Isles, first into the hands of William Douglas, and later to the Duke of Portland. Finally, in 1810, the artifact was donated to the British Museum.

The vase dates back to the first century BCE and is decorated with seven figures. These include a young man, a beautiful woman, a snake, Cupid, and an older man observing the entire scene. The scene itself has captivated many and is considered mysterious.

Sculptures and decorations from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was the tomb of Mausolus, a Persian ruler who lived more than 350 years before our era.

Unfortunately, the mausoleum itself has not survived to the present day. By the 13th century, it was already in ruins, and the local population used stones from the monument to build fortifications for nearby castles and strongholds.

Research on the tomb was conducted, among others, by the British, which resulted in many of the sculptures and decorations being brought to the British Isles. Most of these can now be found in the British Museum.

This is just a tiny fraction of the priceless collections that, in my opinion, everyone should see. Beyond these, thousands of extraordinary artifacts from the history of people across all places and eras await you. A walk through the spacious halls of the British Museum will stay with us for a long time. I sincerely hope that your visit to this historic sanctuary will remain a cherished memory for many years to come.

British Museum practical information that may be useful when visiting

The British Museum has been free to enter since its opening. Only some temporary exhibitions require an admission fee, and information about these can be found on the museum’s official website.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, visitors can remain in the main hall, where the restaurants and souvenir shops are located, until 5:30 PM. All exhibition areas must be vacated by 5:00 PM.

Fridays are an exception and have become special days at the museum, allowing visitors to stay until 8:30 PM.

Guided tours are available, but must be arranged individually with prior notice. Some galleries have their guides, and you can join these tours for free. The cost of hiring a guide privately is about £15 per hour.

While entry to the museum is free, temporary, themed, or special exhibitions require a ticket. If you live in London or nearby, becoming a member of the museum’s supporters is a good idea. Annual membership costs £69 and grants unlimited access to all exhibitions regardless of price. Another benefit is the ability to skip often long queues when entering the museum.

Getting to the museum is very convenient thanks to several nearby Underground stations. I recommend getting off at Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, or Russell Square. Of course, you can get off a bit earlier if you have time for a pleasant walk.

British Museum in London curiosities and information

  • The British Museum has been free from its inception and remains so to this day.
  • In its early years, the museum attracted around 5,000 visitors annually. Today, the figure is well over 5 million from around the world.
  • In 2003, the British Museum’s record number of visitors was broken, with over 6 million visitors then visiting the venerable institution.
  • The museum houses over 8 million exhibits, of which only a small portion appears in museum display cases at any one time.
  • Before entering the museum, you must go through a security check similar to that at an airport. Be prepared for your luggage to be searched. Unlike other institutions in England, food and drink are permitted inside the British Museum.
  • The initial collection, from Sir Hans Sloane, which launched the British Museum, comprises over 80,000 exhibits.
  • The now-famous roof at the British Museum, built in 2000, was designed by the same architect who designed the London building known as the Glass Egg.
  • Some of the museum’s halls offer free guided tours.
  • The museum produces over 50 documentaries and feature films annually.
  • In 1845, a drunken student staggered and knocked over many of the exhibited masterpieces. One of the victims was the famous Portland Vase. It shattered into exactly 200 pieces upon impact. It was later patched together and repaired. The fate of the unlucky, drunken young man who perpetrated the entire incident remains unknown.
  • The Greek government is negotiating with the museum authorities over the return of works of art from ancient Athens. Negotiations have been ongoing for over 200 years.
  • Several years ago, the Mediterranean Countries Academy Foundation announced plans to rebuild the Mausoleum of Mausolus at Halicarnassus. She intends to display sculptures from the site at the British Museum.
  • The British Museum boasts the largest collection of antiquities from Ancient Egypt.

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