Book British Museum Tours

• The museum's off-season tends to be November and early December. This also when the museum is least crowded.
• The museum is busiest on weekends, during UK school holidays, UK bank holidays, Christmas and the New Year.
• The quietest times to visit the Museum are when the galleries first open between 10am and 11am and again in the afternoon after 4pm. Please remember that the Museum closes at 5pm, except Fridays.
• The middle of the day is usually the busiest time in the Museum galleries, cafés and shops.
• The permanent galleries can get especially busy during the first and final weekends of a special exhibition.

The British Museum has two entrances: the main one on Great Russell Street and another at Montague Place.

Main entrance: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Second entrance: Montague Place, London WC1E 7JW

• During busy times, the Montague Place entrance might be your only option for walk-in entry.
• There can be lines, especially at peak times, so be prepared to wait a bit.
• If you have a pre-booked ticket, you can enter anytime after your chosen time slot. No need to wait in the main queue!
• There's a special, easier access queue for disabled visitors, folks with strollers and young kids, members, and anyone with an exhibition or general admission ticket.
• Just like at the airport, there's a security check with a bag search at the entrance.

• You can take photos and videos on your handheld camera with flash in most parts of the museum, but commercial shoots are not allowed. There will be signs to let you know where you can't take photos.
• Selfie sticks, tripods, and anything else that needs extra support are a no-go inside the building.
• Large luggage, sports equipment, folding bikes, scooters, skateboards, wheeled cases, and musical instruments are also not allowed inside.
• Tour groups need to enter through the Montague Place entrance. If you show up at the other entrance, you will be asked to enter through the Montague Place entrance.
• Smoking of any kind (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes) is a no-no inside the museum, but you can light up outside in the colonnade or forecourt area.
• Food and drinks are off-limits inside the museum (except for the cafes, restaurant, and the Great Court). You can grab a bite outside in the colonnade or forecourt. Please toss your trash and uneaten food responsibly!

• Court Cafés: Need a quick bite? Head to the Court Cafes on the ground floor of the Great Court. They have fresh sandwiches, salads, cakes, and all the usual hot and cold drinks to keep you fueled up. (Daily, 10am to 5pm)
• Great Court Restaurant: Treat yourself to a sit-down meal under the amazing glass roof of the Great Court Restaurant. It's a great option for a special occasion or if you just want to relax and enjoy a delicious meal. Reservations are essential, but they might have walk-in spots available too. (Daily, 11:30am–5pm, last sitting at 4pm)
• Pizzeria: This family-friendly spot serves up fresh, hand-tossed pizzas, salads, and yummy desserts (don't forget the gelato!). They even have gluten-free crusts and vegetarian and vegan options. Find it in the southwest corner of the ground floor, just to the left of the main entrance. (Monday to Thursday: 12pm–4pm, Friday to Sunday: 11am–4pm)
• Coffee Lounge: Located on the first floor with a great view of the iconic Reading Room, the Coffee Lounge offers a lively atmosphere and a menu with savory meals, salads, cakes, and hot and cold drinks. (Daily, 10:30am–4:30pm)
• Outdoor dining: Grab snacks and drinks from the museum's two food trucks and enjoy them in the outdoor seating areas. (Daily, 10am–5pm)

There are no hotels at the British Museum. However, you can book your stay at one of these nearby hotels according to your budget preferences:

• Budget hotels: Exmouth Arms (1.2km | From £30), Smart Russel Square Hostel (460m | From £37), Astor Museum Hostel (140m | From £62)
• Mid-range hotels: Travelodge London Covent Garden (460m | From £100), Bloomsbury Palace Hotel (320m | From £109), DoubleTree by Hilton London - West End (340m | From £152)
• Luxury hotels: Radisson Blu Hotel (220m | From £203), Kimpton Fitzroy London (380m | From £220), The Montague on the Gardens (120m | From £229)

• Sir John Soane's Museum (0.5 miles): An architect's dream house filled with art, quirky finds, and ancient treasures! It's a free museum in London that lets you explore a fascinating man's home and collection.
• London Transport Museum (0.6 miles): Ever wondered what London's transportation system looked like in the past? The London Transport Museum is your time machine, filled with iconic buses, trains, and tube posters!
• Charles Dickens Museum (0.7 miles): Dive into the world of Dickens! His London home is now a museum, packed with his writing tools, first editions, and even furniture from his famous novels.
• Somerset House (0.7 miles): A posh and historic grand building by the Thames. Somerset House is full of art galleries, cafes, and even an ice rink in winter – it's a cool spot to wander around!
• The National Gallery (0.8 miles): The National Gallery in London is a treasure trove of Western European art, from Renaissance masterpieces to Van Gogh's swirling Sunflowers.

The British Museum is massive. To make the most of your visit, check out the British Museum audio app before you go. It's like having your own personal museum guide, with expert talks on 250 highlights from the collection, 65 gallery introductions, self-guided tours by theme (like Egyptian mummies or medieval Europe), and even a way to plan your visit, including an interactive map.

Plus, it's available in a bunch of languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, French, Korean, Japanese, German and British Sign Language. Just bring your headphones or snag some earbuds at the museum at the Guide Desk or the British Museum Shop. Don't worry, it's not super expensive – you can buy the whole bundle for less than a fiver, or pick and choose themed tours for a couple of quids each.

• Vehicle access for Blue Badge holders is through the main entrance on Great Russell Street and exit via the South entrance. There are also parking bays on Montague Place, Montague Street, and Coptic Street.
• Manual wheelchairs are available to pre-book free of charge. They can be collected at the main entrance only and returned to either entrance at the end of your visit.
• Mobility scooters are welcome and permitted inside the Museum.
• Concessions for paid exhibitions, events, and special morning tours are available. A companion ticket is also provided free of charge.
• The Main entrance has 12 steps with a handrail. The North entrance on Montague Place has 12 steps and lift access. There are self-operable lifts on both sides of these steps.
• Most lifts in the Museum are wheelchair accessible, have audio announcements, and include braille signage.
• Accessible toilets are available in the Great Court: Level 0.
• Induction Loops are installed at the Ticket Desk in the Great Court.
• Service, assistance, and emotional support animals are welcome. They should be identifiable as working and remain on a leash.
• British Sign Language Guides are available on the British Museum app.
• Touch tours are free and take place daily from 11am–4pm, subject to availability, in select galleries. This is accompanied by large print, tactile drawings with braille information, and audio guides.
• Sensory support backpacks for families are available at the Families Desk in the Great Court, which is open on weekends and school holidays from 10am–4:30pm.
• The Museum has a range of inclusive learning opportunities available for Special Educational Needs schools including taught handling sessions and digital workshops.

The British Museum is super family-friendly! There are a bunch of free activities for kids of all ages, from the Museum Mission in six galleries, to the Museum explorer trail full of fun activities to explore the museum which you can collect from the Families Desk. The museum hosts a range of fun workshops during school holidays. There's even a special Little Feet program for little ones under 5 and their carers. Plus, most of the special exhibits are free for kids under 16, so it's a great way to spend a day together.

Families Desk opening times: 10am–12:30pm and 1:15pm–4:30pm (Weekends and school holidays)

Other facilities:

• All museum cafes and restaurants have high chairs on request, subject to availability, and there's even a children's menu at the Pizzeria. You can also bring your own food to eat in the Ford Centre on weekends and school holidays, or have a picnic on the front lawns when the weather's nice.
• Prams and buggies are allowed inside the museum. Fold-up prams and buggies can be left free of charge in the cloakroom, on the left side after passing through the Main entrance.
• There are baby changing facilities throughout the museum at the Great Court toilet facilities, Levels 0 and 3 of the North stairs, and the Ford Centre for Young Visitors (open on weekends and London Borough of Camden school holidays only).
• You're welcome to breastfeed or bottle-feed anywhere. The museum even has special feeding rooms for extra privacy, located adjacent to the baby changing space on the east side of Great Court and in the Ford Centre.

Browse art-inspired souvenirs and gifts inspired by the exhibitions, collect replicas of the artefacts at the museum, buy from a wide selection of jewellery, books, fashion, homeware, and games. There are also British Museum-themed souvenirs that are perfect for children! You can also shop from your favourite collections at the museum, like your own Lewis Chessmen replica, a Rosetta Stone replica, gifts from the Hokusai collection, or even items celebrating cats from history!