Destination Museums: British Museum, London

London is a sundry and exhilarating city with some of the best sights and attractions in the world. No list of ’Top Attraction Sites in London’ is complete without the mention of the British Museum. This is a one-of-a-kind museum that provides visitors with a fresh breath of inspiration to refresh their psyche. The British Museum is located in the Bloomsbury area of London, and it sprawls over 1 million square feet. Its mandate is to illuminate the histories of cultures that not only the present generations will benefit from, but also future generations.

Why Visit the British Museum?

Even for those without the slightest interest of history and arts, visiting this museum always turns out to be an enriching experience. Visitors who had previously dismissed museums as boring learn one important fact after visiting the British Museum – it’s not a happenstance that there is a ’muse’ in “museum!” Furthermore, naysayers and fans alike are usually delighted to know that entry to this museum and its permanent exhibits is absolutely free!

What you’ll see at the British Museum

Besides the fact that this is among the few places in London where the word ’free’ is tolerated to some extent, there’s a lot of things to learn and a ton of things to see at the British Museum. This museum houses wide-ranging collections dedicated to the history and culture of humankind. There are more than 8 million exhibits from all continents, which include artifacts that date back thousands of years. There are various collections that are considered to be the most captivating, including those from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Japan, among other places.

Best time of the Year to Visit the British Museum

The best time of the year for you to visit the British Museum, especially if you are not a Londoner, will depend on various factors. Climate-wise the best time to visit the British Museum is in the spring. This is because the temperatures in London are usually mild during this season.

Nevertheless, late spring – alongside summer – is also prime tourist season. This means that flight and hotel prices echo the surge. Therefore, if you are on a budget and can brace the chilly temperatures, you can consider visiting the British Museum in the fall and winter. One thing to remember is that it being one of the biggest cities in Europe, London is among the world’s most popular destinations. Therefore, no matter what time of the year you decide to visit, you are bound to run into many tourists.

Just like other tourist attraction sites in London, the British Museum is never going to be the quietest spot. However, you can visit when it’s a little quieter. Since the entrance area and various other areas of interest are accessible at no cost, they are likely to be swamped almost anytime. Strive to arrive early for the 10:00 A.M opening, or you can visit later on a Friday when the museum closes at around 5.30 P.M. The museum tends to get full when they are in their opening and closing weeks. Also avoid visiting the museum when there’s bad weather outside as it tends to be at its busiest. Sunny days are less swamped and are the quietest.