The British Museum has one of the most comprehensive collections in existence, with over 8 million pieces under its roof documenting the history of humanity. This establishment is easily one of the most impressive catalogues of mankind’s journey from past to present ever seen.
During your next stay at the LUMA Concept Hotel London, make sure you take time out to explore the British Museum.
However, because of its enormity it’s hard to figure out where to start looking. Where do you begin? How do you get the best out of this gigantic mega-museum? What should I prioritise? What should I look at? There are so many questions!
Most important rule: don’t let the British Museum overwhelm you
We understand how overwhelming huge city attractions can be. You’ve arrived at a place you’ve always dreamt of visiting, your expectations are high, you only have a couple of hours, and you need to make the most of it.
Rule 1: Don’t panic and start running around trying to see everything.
It’s a bit like planning New Year’s Eve… you need it to meet expectations so you fluster and panic, and you try to have as much fun as possible by running from party to party constantly thinking ‘no, no, no the next party will be the party’ and then… well you were too trying to ‘fun’ that you forgot to relax and just enjoy yourself, and it’s now 2017 and you didn’t hear the countdown and all your friends are gone.
Basically, relax and enjoy yourself. The British Museum will always be there, just because you don’t see everything the first time around doesn’t mean you won’t see it next time.
Remember, less is more
Seeing 3 items in great detail is better than seeing 300 in a rush. Take your time and relish in the history of the artefacts in front of you.
Research is key
Sure, you can always ‘wing it’ at the British Museum and see what comes to you, but if you research into and what pieces you really want to see you may get a bit more out of your museum experience.
Research what exhibitions are on and find out where they are in the mammoth establishment so you won’t get lost.
Go at the right times
Here’s a good tip for you, try to go to the British Museum during the week rather than a weekend. Trust us, it gets busy. If you don’t want to queue to get a glimpse of the Rosetta Stone, going on a weekday morning is your best bet.
Not sure what you want to see?
All of the British Museum’s exhibitions will be listed on their website.
Our recommendations?
Classic go-to British Museum pieces to see include:
• Egyptian mummies
• Colossal granite head of Amenhotep III – weighing 4 tons
• Assyrian lion hunt reliefs
• Easter Island heads
• Samurai armour
• Rossetta Stone