The British Museum

What to expect

The British Museum was founded by act of Parliament in 1753, built on the collection of the physician Sir Hans Sloane, and opened to the public in 1759. Robert Smirke designed the Greek Revival building, and Foster and Partners added the glass-roofed Great Court in 2000, the largest covered square in Europe. The collection runs to millions of objects, though only a small part is on display.

With nearly 100 galleries, you cannot see everything, so choose a few areas. Famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the Sutton Hoo treasure from an Anglo-Saxon ship burial. The museum is free to enter, but it is busy, especially around the headline objects, and the Great Court is a good place to find your bearings. The old Round Reading Room sits in the middle.

Don't miss

• The Rosetta Stone
• The Parthenon sculptures
• Sutton Hoo grave goods
• The Great Court glass roof
• The Oxus Treasure

Tips for your visit

• Plan two or three galleries in advance; trying to see it all is exhausting.
• Go early or late in the day to see the busiest rooms with fewer people.
• A visit of two to three hours covers the highlights.
• It is a short walk from Covent Garden and Soho.