Review: British Museum

Zoom out. What’s this place all about?
Britain’s largest museum is like a city unto itself. The columned Greek Revival-style building was completed in 1852 and has since seen the additions of the Norman Foster-designed Great Court, covered in a soaring glass roof, and the sharply modern 2014 extension which houses temporary exhibitions.

What will we find in the permanent collection?
The museum holds one of the largest collections in the world. Artifacts are arranged by location, and there are are vast galleries covering Ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Greece and Rome. The list of big hitters is long and includes the Rosetta Stone, carved in 196BC (when discovered in 1799, it demystified Egyptian hieroglyphs), and an ornate iron helmet and jewelry from a 7th-century Sutton Hoo burial site.

Any temporary exhibits worth checking out?
The temporary shows are, as you would expect, carefully considered crowd pleasers looking into everything from Ancient Egyption hieroglyphics to the world of Stonehenge. Tickets start from around £15.

What did you make of the crowd?
The British Museum is one of the busiest attractions in London, seeing around 6.5 million visitors every year. It’s big enough to absorb them, but things are least hectic early on a weekday—the downside of avoiding weekends is that you will almost definitely run into giggly school groups huddling around the Egyptian mummies.

Any guided tours worth trying?
At £4.99, the audio app is good value and has self-guided themed tours and info on over 250 objects but there are also free ‘eye-opener’ 40 minute tours of museum and weekly themed tours.

Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere?
The dining options are many and varied, from pre-made sandwiches in the café, to fresh margheritas in the Pizzeria, to a three course, wine-fueled feast under Norman Foster’s roof in the Great Court restaurant.

Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged?
You could spend several lifetimes in here. If you have a short window, pick one gallery and stick to it, or pay £14 for the guided "Around the World" tour which whizzes you around the big hitters—bear in mind that this task involves a good deal of walking.