British Museum Building

A Must-See in the UK: The British Museum! Guide and Ticket Booking Methods for the British Museum

Museums of various sizes and themes are found worldwide, and if you are about to or currently studying in the UK, you certainly should not miss visiting one of the world’s most renowned museums—the British Museum. Most UK museums offer free admission and only require advance booking, a perk you absolutely should not miss as an international student. Cyclopes has compiled the British Museum ticket booking method and its must-see masterpieces just for you!

The British Museum in London

Source: Canva

 

The British Museum: Home to the World’s Largest Collection of Artifacts

The British Museum boasts over 8 million items in its permanent collection, the largest of any museum worldwide. Before the pandemic, the museum attracted more than 6 million visitors annually. Established in 1753, the museum initially was based on the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, an Irish doctor and scientist, and opened to the public in 1759 at its current site, Montagu House. 

  

Montagu House was gradually demolished in the 1820s due to deterioration, and the current Greek temple-style building of the British Museum was designed by British architect Sir Robert Smirke (1780-1867) and opened in 1857.

Visitors Buying Ticket to Museum

Source: iStock 

Booking Tickets for the British Museum: Free Admission

Unlike many other countries' museums, most museums in the UK offer free admission to ensure that collections and exhibitions are accessible to the public for education and cultural opportunities, allowing more people to engage with and learn about art, history, and science. UK museums and galleries are generally funded by the government and supported by private and charitable donations. Apart from special exhibitions that charge an entrance fee, most museums do not charge for their permanent exhibitions. 

  

To save waiting time, it’s recommended to book a visiting slot on the official website in advance. Morning slots are usually more popular, so if you want ample time to enjoy the exhibits, it's best to book early. 

  

Opening Hours: 10:00–17:00 

Ticket Price: Free 


Top 5 Must-See Treasures at the British Museum

If you're short on time, are there any unmissable treasures? Here are the top 5 most talked-about artifacts that we have selected for you: 

Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone, hailed as the British Museum's number one treasure, is a stele inscribed in 196 BC as a decree by Egyptian King Ptolemy V. While it may seem like a mundane announcement, it is written in three languages: Ancient Greek, Egyptian Demotic, and Egyptian Hieroglyphs. Thanks to this stone, scholars were able to decipher Egyptian Hieroglyphs, a language unreadable since the 4th century. 

  

Location: Near the main entrance

Parthenon sculptures

The Parthenon, located in Athens, Greece, was originally built to worship the goddess Athena. The sculptures now preserved in the British Museum were reportedly moved to the UK in the early 19th century with permission from the Ottoman Sultan by the British ambassador to Turkey. 

  

The Parthenon sculptures, dating back nearly 2500 years, showcase the remarkable skill of ancient artisans in working with marble, from the realistic folds in the clothing to the full-bodied figures and delicate muscle lines. 

  

Location: Room 18

Ancient Egyptian Mummies

Many visitors to the British Museum hope to see real mummies. You might not know that the British Museum's collection of mummies is second only to Egypt, with over a hundred specimens. In the Egyptian section, aside from royal and noble mummies, there are also animal mummies, such as fish and even cat mummies. These animals were mummified because they were either pets of the nobility or sacrificial offerings. 

  

Location: Room 62, 63

Moai statue

The moai statue in the British Museum, unlike the others on Easter Island made of tuff, is made of basalt. It was presented to Queen Victoria in 1868 by British sailors. Even if you can't visit Easter Island, you can still admire the moai statue in the all-encompassing British Museum. 

  

Location: Room 24

The Lewis Chessmen

This chess set was found on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, hence the name Lewis Chessmen. The pieces are carved from walrus ivory and experts believe that this chess set was made in Norway and later brought to the Scottish islands. The Lewis Chessmen also inspired the Wizard's Chess in Harry Potter and quickly rose to fame after the movies were released. A must-see for Harry Potter fans. 

  

Location: Room 40

Bonus Exhibit: Proof that Sir Hans Sloane Invented Chocolate Milk

A Cup of Chocolate Milk

Source: Freepik 

In addition to being a doctor and collector, Sir Hans Sloane is also known as the inventor of chocolate milk. It is said that Sloane discovered the widespread use of cocoa beans to treat illnesses during a trip to Jamaica and decided to bring cocoa back to Britain. However, raw cocoa might not have been palatable to most, and in a serendipitous attempt, he mixed cocoa with milk, finding the taste delightful. He patented this formula and later sold it to Cadbury. Cadbury used this formula to produce its bestselling milk chocolate. The product's trade card states that it uses Sir Hans Sloane's formula, making it one of the British Museum's more unusual must-see exhibits.

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