The British Museum — Attraction in London

So I’ll start out with saying that there are a lot of artifacts from all different cultures across the world and time periods across history. So if you want to see a lot of different things in one building, you can do that here. And entry is free, so there’s that. Honestly it might be an ethical question if it wasn’t free.

There is something weird about seeing huge parts of the Parthenon’s walls transplanted into its own room here in the British Museum. Because the Parthenon still stands (or as much as is left that stands, anyway) in Greece today.

I’m sure there was a lot of work, both archeological and logistical, to get these artifacts here and that much learning had been done from these artifacts. But I can’t help but feel a vibe that these artifacts are like the treasured items of a very powerful and wealthy collector or group of collectors. The whole museum just feels like a giant collection, with the rooms being separate cubbies or shelves for someone to display all the things they’ve acquired.

Because there isn’t really an obvious inter-collected theme that the British Museum has put forth, that ties all these artifacts together. I suppose if they had led with “the museum of humanity” and put together a self-guided tour that connected all the rooms and artifacts together into a story about humanity, that would help explain why so many artifacts from so many diverse cultures are here, and not at the locations of their origin or with the people of the successor of those cultures.

Granted, there may be a good chance that if these artifacts were not here, they would have been lost or destroyed. But the other issue is that many plaques of the artifacts don’t explain how the British Museum came into possession of these artifacts. In general, I didn’t find the plaques that helpful, unless you already knew a lot about that specific artifact.

And maybe in this digital age, there could be a “scan a qr code” to learn more or an online audio tour. I also didn’t see official Beitish Museum tours, except for regional tours (east Asia, etc.) but there was only timeslot for that day. I did see third-party tours, but don’t know how good they are.

The building itself is very confusing to navigate. There are also way too less bathrooms for the amount of daily visitors (the bathrooms in the main hall are downstairs, and the women’s bathrooms had a line all the way up the stairs). Even for the men’s bathroom, I had to go ti a different one since there are not a lot of stalls in each one.

Oh yeah, in the area right outside the main gate — like the sidewalks and before the security checkpoint — beware of thieves and pickpocketers. Wear your backpack the other way around, or cover your backpack with a bag or cloth. I spotted two people walking very close to my parents and seems like they were trying to unzip their backpack and nab the camera as my parents were taking photos on...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the London National Museum, and I must say, it was an absolutely incredible experience! As soon as I stepped through the grand entrance, I was struck by the sheer scale and beauty of the museum's architecture. The stunning glass ceiling and intricately designed galleries set the tone for an unforgettable day of exploration and discovery.

The museum's vast collection of artifacts and exhibits is truly breathtaking, with over 8 million objects on display, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern times. I was particularly fascinated by the Egyptian gallery, which features an impressive array of mummies, sarcophagi, and other treasures from the pharaonic era. The Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and the Lewis Chessmen were just a few of the many highlights that left me in awe.

One of the things that impressed me most about the museum was the way in which the exhibits were curated and presented. The interactive displays, videos, and guided tours made the experience engaging and accessible for visitors of all ages. The museum's staff were also incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, happy to answer questions and provide insights into the various exhibits.

The museum's temporary exhibitions were also noteworthy, featuring cutting-edge research and innovative displays that showcased the latest discoveries and advancements in various fields. I was particularly impressed by the museum's commitment to making its collections and research accessible to a wider audience, through digital platforms and community outreach programs.

Overall, my visit to the London National Museum was a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you're a history buff, a science enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and wonder of human culture, this museum has something for everyone. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting London, and I look forward to returning again in the future.

Rating Breakdown:

Exhibits: 5/5 Architecture: 5/5 Staff: 5/5 Interactive Displays: 5/5

Plan your visit in advance, as the museum can get very busy, especially during peak season. Take advantage of the museum's guided tours and interactive displays to get the most out of your visit. Don't miss the museum's temporary exhibitions, which often feature unique and innovative displays. Consider visiting the museum's website or social media channels to stay up-to-date on the latest news,...

Of course a ‘must see’, possibly the top one in London. Don’t make a ‘reservation’ or ‘buy’ a ticket online. But also don’t carry a backpack or bag (purses are OK) so you can skip the hideous security queue. Go in on the side where the group entry is, but NOT at the group entry. Just past it is the individual entry and usually no queue at all. Go early and unless you like it crowded avoid the weekend. I’d wanted to check out the Chinese ceramics (‘Room’ 95)but they were closed for renovations, so if you’re visiting for one particular collection check first. Otherwise this iconic natural history museum is totally a well merited bucket list item. The ‘Egyptian’ pre-dynastic displays are exceptional examples of the best of museum work! Naturally the Anglo-Saxon displays are, in a word not misplaced here, awesome. Probably one of the finest Islamic arts collections in the western world. Not an area of unusual interest for myself but for anyone assaying an interest or in the historical arts of Islam, especially Iran, it’s well worth the time simply for this one exceptionally broad and superbly curated feature. Perhaps one might best just say it’s certainly one of those ‘just must see’ things on Earth with some incredible collections one will never see anywhere else on Earth. And it’s actually free…although a minimum £5 is requested and I’d think that a pittance for the value provided! Good quality reasonably priced refreshment options, without terrible queues. Seating and ‘resting’ spots are often rare or oversubscribed but it’s easy enough to sojourn out to the courtyard for this when one needs a brief respite from crowds or a brief break and reasonable refreshment options are even available there as well. Overall the management is to be congratulated on an exceptionally well handled and well managed facility, especially considering the challenges of so many visitors! Oh yeah, this one’s not just ‘highly recommended’ it’s a world-class ‘must do’. I’d recommend taking the free map offered when giving one’s donation. It’s good enough one can just skip the £2 or £6 full color maps and guides for sale. Outstanding merchandise offerings too as well as an excellent museum book shop. I’d rate this one as perfect for children, pre-teens and teens as not only fascinating...