The British Museum, London
Home » Travel »Here we are on day 7 of #MuseumWeek which I read about on Twitter and where I thought it would be a great time to share some of the museums that we as a family have visited over the years (you can read all of #MuseumWeek here). Today is the turn of the British Museum.
I remember going to the British Museum on a school trip back in the 80s, and we took Liam here in 2007. It’s another one we really need to go back to as it is a fascinating place full of thousands of historical artifacts.
The museum is open daily from 10am to 5:30pm (opens late on a Friday) and is free to enter. Some exhibitions do have a fee. For the most up to date information, check out the British Museum website before making your trip. The museum is located on Great Russell Street and the nearest tube stations are Holborn and Tottenham Court Road.
The origins of the British Museum lie in the will of the physician, naturalist and collector, Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753).
Over his lifetime, Sloane collected more than 71,000 objects which he wanted to be preserved intact after his death. So he bequeathed the whole collection to King George II for the nation in return for a payment of £20,000 to his heirs.
The gift was accepted and on 7 June 1753, an Act of Parliament established the British Museum.
The museum is huge, and seeing it all in one day is probably impossible! The theme is simple – it’s the history of the world! Looking back at my photos from when we went (back in 2007) there are historical artefacts from the Americas…
…ancient Egypt. The mummies and sarcophagi are probably my favourite things in the museum.
There’s ancient Greece and Rome….
…and the Rosetta Stone. I’m sure you’ll agree – fascinating and amazing artefacts!
Just looking back at photographs from museums we’ve visited over the years really makes me want to go back to them all and re-visit them, as well as take trips to museums that we’ve never been to!
Have you been to the British Museum? What is your favourite part of the museum?
Emily
March 31, 2014 @ 2:08 pm
Ah thanks for this – looks great! I think we’ll head there this weekend.
Vicky Wombwell Kuhn
March 30, 2014 @ 9:27 pm
Fantastic photos! I have wanted to get to the British museum since my lad was young (now 14) and still haven’t got round to it. Finding London a little easier to access these days though so will try and make that trip over the summer hols :-)
Love Vicky
http://www.aroundandupsidedown.co.uk/
Emma Tustian
March 30, 2014 @ 7:15 pm
I love it there, although only been the once to see the Terracotta Army a few years ago when it was touring there.
Cass@TheDiaryofaFrugalFamily
March 30, 2014 @ 5:05 pm
I love the British Museum – the lighting in the main atrium is amazing x