The British Museum in beautiful and picturesque London is one of the most comprehensive and biggest museums ever in the history of mankind. Pity yourself for not witnessing this top attraction in contemporary London, as what they offer is truly extensive! With over 7 million pieces in the British Museum’s vast collection, it’s tough to see everything in just one day.
Here are the British Museum’s star highlights and its most celebrated treasures of art and objects. No fussing! Here we go.
Egyptian Collection
Egyptian collection in the British Museum is home to an extensive range of statues and sarcophagi.
It includes the enormous Pharaoh Ramesses II, the very popular Rosetta Stone on which the text is believed to have been written way back in 196 BC, right after the Egyptian dynasty met its end.
Written in three languages (hieroglyphic, demotic and Greek), this one is a must-see in the British Museum.
Their huge collection of Egyptian sarcophagi and mummies are also worth exploring.
Also, you can see and enjoy animal mummies in this museum. How interesting does that sound?
History and Facts
The remarkable collections of art and antiquities in the British Museum stems from its 2 million years of old history and culture. Known and celebrated for treasures like Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone (the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, discovered in the 1799) and other archaeological collections, with a sharp focus on science, world culture, decorative art, drawings and prints, this place doesn’t deserve a miss!
Founded in 1753 and located in Bloomsbury, this museum lets you enjoy treasures of world culture and art under one roof. It also showcases the collections of scientist and physician Sir Hans Sloane, who bequeathed his collection to the nation in his will. The British Museum also speaks volumes about the history of Britain. Centred around the beautiful and magnificent Great Court, the British Museum also hosts special exhibitions, events and displays to better the understanding of the different collections and cultures presented here.
The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court was opened in 2000 to help visitors make their way into the museum.
Entry to the British Museum is absolutely free, but do expect admission charges if you are interested in exhibitions. Remember, exhibitions keep changing, so refer to the website or contact them for details.
Address: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG Phone: 0207 323 8299 Website: www.britishmuseum.org Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road
Elgin Marbles
Taken from Parthenon in Athens, the Elgin Marbles is a beautiful collection of marble sculptures, counted among one of the top attractions of the British Museum. They have been placed in the Parthenon Galleries which was purposely built for holding similar structures.
These sculptures, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, were obtained by the famous Thomas Bruce.
In order to avoid the stones witnessing further damage by the Turks, Earl Elgin specifically had to seek permission to obtain these. In 1816, this collection was purchased by the House of Commons from Elgin and then placed in the British Museum. Not for those who can’t see the beauty a marble structure like this has held for years! Only in London!
British Museum Gallery
Among the best, you have Michelangelo producing for the Sistine Chapel and his studies relating to Adam are certainly counted among the best. The Vale of York Viking Hoard contains objects from the different parts of the region and showcases diversity and growth of all trade networks.
The 2011 Art Fund Prize was won by the British Museum for its amazing project ‘A History of the World’ which included a series of 100-parts featured on BBC Radio 4 and was hugely successful.
Collections
The collections within this museum are large and many visitors take more than one day to explore what’s in here. These collections are constantly rotated over time, so you can be sure to see something new every time you make a visit. These things make this 250 year old museum special and a complete encyclopaedia of art and nature unmatched by any other on the planet.
Montague House in Bloomsbury was the home of art and culture collections from 1754, but very soon a larger museum with more storage capacity was needed. Plans were constantly being made to make suitable additions to the existing museum. The Townley Gallery was created first and was soon replaced by Smirke Building for classical sculpture. This core soul of the British Museum still exists, with visitors appreciating them while they make a visit to this museum. Parthenon Galleries, built in 1939, was a home to the Parthenon sculptures but the structure was rebuilt and reopened in 1962 after sustaining damage during World War II.
Assyrian Collection
This section of the museum represents the beautiful relief carvings stocked from the palaces of the well known Assyrian kings at Nineveh, Nimrud and Khorsabad. A good attraction is the huge sized winged bulls stocked right from the palace of the Sargon II. They are immensely attractive and impressive. Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo burial relics will give you more reasons to cherish being in this part of London than any other. Convincing reasons to sweat yourself!
Other collections in the British Museum include gems from Oceania, Africa, Europe, America, Middle East, Asia, Sudan, medals and coins and Greek and Roman antiquities, and lots more.
The British Museum is home to lot of antiquities collected from all over the world, spanning over 11,000 years of history that you must know about – in essence! That brings us to mention the seven permanent galleries they have here.
Rosetta Stone
The one on the second floor is immensely compelling and there you get to see a vast collection of coffins and mummies. An experience of a lifetime to be witnessed with a close exploration of the Rosetta Stone that is the key to understanding hieroglyphs!
Star attractions of this section include the Parthenon sculptures which we mentioned earlier.
Galleries feature the two significant wonders out of the seven from the ancient world. They are Temple of Artemis from Ephesu and Mausoleum of Halikarnassus.
They have a huge collection of Roman and Greek objects covering the milestones from the Greek Bronze Age to the 4th century.
Sutton Hoo Ship Burial Helmet
One of the most vital findings to be envied comes straight from British archaeology and that’s called the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo treasure. More and more visitors have been seeing it as it becomes more prominent, thanks to the wonderful new display which it has achieved recently further linking it with other remarkable features presented in the museum.
World culture galleries in the British Museum are home to some of the most unbelievable and outstanding drawings and prints. A collection of Mesopotamian artefacts dominates the Middle Eastern gallery.
Don’t miss Benin Bronzes from the Africa gallery section and the applied arts from Japan and China. You will also find the Islamic gallery portraying some of the best from Islamic art, including glassware, pottery and paintings.
Undoubtedly, they are one of the largest in the world. In this top museum of the city, you will get to see the best collection of drawings and paintings from the 14th century spreading over to this day. London has this museum which gives you an idea of how man acted centuries ago.
World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre
The World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre, located to the north-west corner, recently opened in 2014. Counted among the much awaited attractions in the city, they hold special exhibitions on Vikings and carry an insight into the Danish warship that is almost 36m long; offers interesting glimpses from the 11th century. The stunning Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery was unveiled with the purpose of providing a designed space giving way to possibilities of more exhibitions to be staged in future.
There is a huge range of activities for children here, including workshops, storytelling, performances, backpacks with puzzles and various interesting games. Children can also use free art materials for creating their own favourite pictures.
Children visiting the British Museum can also explore the major civilisations through its lively programmes held in its blockbuster exhibitions.
Also, don’t forget to make your way to the British Museum’s Great Court restaurant, which offers the best European classics right under the glass roof structure of the Court.
In 2000, the Great Court was unveiled (previously occupied by the British Library, restored by Norman Foster) and now witnesses a huge influx of tourists and locals every year. Its impressive and absolutely spectacular roof of glass and steel is worth attention.
You must reach the British Museum and see this amazing and stunning architectural beauty standing in the land of kings and queens.
The British Museum in is the ultimate feast for eyes that want to see and feel the rich history and unmatched culture of Britain. These top recommendations are a guide to make your way around the museum and its artefacts.
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