British Museum in 2 Hours: A Curated Guide to the Highlights
For those with limited time at the British Museum in London, which houses over 8 million artifacts but showcases only 80,000, a practical two-hour itinerary is recommended. Visitors should secure timed entry tickets and download the museum map beforehand. Begin your journey at the Great Court, then explore the Reading Room through complimentary tours. Don’t miss the Rosetta Stone, dating back to 196 BC, crucial for understanding hieroglyphics, followed by Assyrian lion hunt reliefs from around 645 BC. Notable pieces include the Parthenon Sculptures (438-432 BC) and the Lewis Chessmen from the late 12th century. In the final 25 minutes, select one additional object. It’s advisable to visit on midweek mornings and utilize cloakrooms for larger bags.
Key facts
- The British Museum holds over 8 million objects, with about 80,000 on display.
- The Great Court has a tessellating glass roof by Foster and Partners with 3,312 panels.
- The Rosetta Stone, inscribed in 196 BC, was deciphered by Jean-François Champollion in 1822.
- The Assyrian lion hunt reliefs date to around 645 BC.
- The Parthenon Sculptures were created between 438 and 432 BC under Phidias.
- The Lewis Chessmen were carved in the late 12th century and found in 1831.
- The Portland Vase is a 1st-century cameo glass vessel that obsessed Josiah Wedgwood.
- Lindow Man is a bog body from Roman-era Britain preserved for nearly 2,000 years.
Entities
Artists
- Jean-François Champollion
- Phidias
- Josiah Wedgwood
- Ashurbanipal
Institutions
- British Museum
- Foster and Partners
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Athens
- Greece
- Nineveh
- Isle of Lewis
- Scotland
- Outer Hebrides
- Norway
- Egypt
- Rosetta
- Great Russell Street