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British Museum

The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG, England

The British Museum holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures.

Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history.

Access to the collections is free.

The British Museum

Contact Details | Articles | General Information

Facilities

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Contact Details

Tel : +44 (0)20 7323 8299
+44 (0)20 7323 8000
Fax : +44 (0)20 7323 8480
E-mail : information@britishmuseum.org

URL : www.britishmuseum.org

Open

Museum opening hours: Saturday - Wednesday 10.00-17.30 Thursday - Friday 10.00-20.30 Great Court Opening Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 09.00-18.00 Thursday - Saturday 09.00-23.00 Reading Room Opening Hours: Saturday - Wednesday, Friday - 10.00-17.30 Thursday 10.00-20.30

Closed

Closed 1 January, Good Friday and 24-26 December every year.

Admission Charges

Admission Free (except for special exhibitions)

Related Articles

06/06/2008 Latin American Sounds: from Earliest Rhythms to Contemporary Carnival
12/09/2007 The First Emperor - China's Terracotta Army At The British Museum
19/06/2007 New British Museum Galleries Of Ancient Iran
21/06/2007 Gods, Guardians, And Immortals From China
27/04/2007 Into The Museum Stores: Palestinian Costume At The British Museum
22/03/2007 Abolition 2007: Events In London This Weekend
01/03/2007 Fabric Of A Nation: Ghanaian Wax Prints At The British Museum

General Information

Cultural collections description

The British Museum exists to illuminate the histories of cultures, for the benefit of present and future generations. It is amongst the oldest and largest museums in the UK, and holds material from practically every country in the world. You can see 4000 objects individually described on the British Museum's website, and many more on display in the 94 rooms of the British Museum itself.

What follows is therefore just an outline of the Museum's holdings. The Museum is of course famous for its early collections stretching back into pre-history, but it also buys modern objects - from 20thC pottery to a bicycle rickshaw.

View detailed collections record >

African | African: Algerian | African: Congolese | African: Egyptian | African: Eritrean | African: Ethiopian | African: Ghanaian | African: Kenyan | African: Moroccan | African: Nigerian | African: Somali | African: South African | African: Sudanese | African: Ugandan | African: Zimbabwean | Asian | Asian: Bangladeshi | Asian: Chinese | Asian: Filipino | Asian: Indian | Asian: Japanese | Asian: Pakistani | Asian: Sri Lankan | Asian: Vietnamese | Caribbean | Central & South America | Near & Middle East | Near & Middle East: Afghani | Near & Middle East: Iranian | Near & Middle East: Kurdish | North America | North, West & Southern Europe: French | North, West & Southern Europe: German | North, West & Southern Europe: Greek Cypriot | North, West & Southern Europe: Greeks | North, West & Southern Europe: Irish | North, West & Southern Europe: Italian | North, West & Southern Europe: Spanish | North, West & Southern Europe: Turkish Cypriots | North, West & Southern Europe: Turks | Oceania | Oceania: New Zealander | Religious Group: Islam | Religious Group: Jewish

General Information

Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Foreign language audio guide available
Information point provided
Guided tours

Collections

General guide to collections available
Specialist publications on collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Public access available to collections information

Disability Access

Audio guides specifically for blind and partially sighted people
Braille information and/or interpretation
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
General audio-guide available
Induction loops in lecture theatres
Large print information and/or interpretation
Parking for disabled available
Sign language interpretation available
Toilets for disabled
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan

Children and Families

Baby changing facilities
Events and resources for children and families

General Education

Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
General audio-guide available
Loan service
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students

Schools Education

Direct teaching services for schools
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available

Facilities

Auditorium
Cafeteria
Facilities for private functions and events
General audio-guide available
Library with public access
Meeting room available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Research facilities for academics
Restaurant
Shop
Study facilities

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Search The Diverse Collections Of The Museum Of London Online

photo shows asian man in smart victorian dress with top hat

The Museum Of London's new microsite allows you to search for the story of the many cultures of London in their collections.

This image shows Sir Mancherjee Bhownaggree, MP for Bethnal Green 1895 - 1906. A supporter of British rule in India, he was nicknamed 'bow-the-knee' by opponents. However he also lobbied parliament on the rights of Indian subjects.

Click here to find out more...