Experts' Choice Award The British Museum
What the experts agree on
A world-class, free museum spanning two million years of human history, from the Rosetta Stone to Egyptian mummies. Vast collections mean multiple visits won't cover it all; the Elgin Marbles remain controversial.
“In fact, it’s the top attraction in the country—6.8 million people a year. Put on your walking shoes because it’s huge.”
– Frommer's
Fodor's "This celebrated treasure house, filled with plunder of incalculable value and beauty from around the globe, occupies an immense, imposing neoclassical building in the heart of Bloomsbury." Full review
Concierge "One of the single greatest museums in the world, the British Museum houses collections that date from the prehistoric to the modern—in sum, the works of mankind."
Frommer's "If the museum has one central, unifying theme, it's to provide an overview of the development of human culture, illustrated with items from all of the world's major civilizations." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler Editor's Pick
"Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the museum holds a collection of art and antiquities... spanning two million years of human history." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Whether you’re looking for a free museum in downtown London or casting your net to the countryside and nearby townships, be sure to check ahead: many museums still charge for special exhibitions. " Full review
Time Out "One of the world's oldest museums, the British Museum is vast and its collections, only a fraction of which can be on public display at any one time, comprise millions of objects." Full review
Not For Tourists "Newly covered Great Court is architectural manna."
Afar Magazine "Checking out the famously preserved mummies at the world’s oldest public museum is on many London wish lists, but there’s much more to the British Museum than ancient Egypt." Full review
National Geographic "Built around the 1857 Round Reading Room, "Norman Foster's Great Court is a wonderful contrast of old London with new." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "You could spend several lifetimes in the British Museum, Britain’s largest museum, without running out of artifacts to ponder (including the Rosetta Stone)." Full review
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It’s big enough to absorb them, but things are least hectic early on a week day—the downside of avoiding weekends is that you will almost definitely run into giggly school groups huddling around the Egyptian mummies.
