Overwhelming Wonderful

I decided to go to the British Museum after a long time. Pre-COVID, you could walk in through the front or the back entrances. These days, you have to go through bag checks, too. As a frequent visitor to London, I don't mind either entrance, so I was interested in the fastest route inside the Museum.

Plan Your Visit

I sometimes forget you can't just turn up anymore. You have to book time slots online even though the Museum is free. I joined the front entrance queue only to be told I had to use the entrance at the back because I hadn't booked a ticket. If you are in a similar situation, quickly go online whilst in the queue and book your ticket. Why? The front entrance and the architecture are impressive.

Once I got through the security bag check, and whilst many were strolling along the ground floor, I decided to escape outside to the front of the building. The front facade is Greek Revival architecture, featuring a grand portico with columns and pediment.

I grabbed a cup of tea and gathered my thoughts before braving the crowds again. Plus I wanted to take photographs for you too. Once brave enough to face the crowds, I returned to the front entrance. I decided to climb the impressive staircase stairs to the collections.

Galleries

There are 60 Galleries, and I only covered three in 2 hours. I explored the Roman Empire Gallery, the Islamic Gallery and my Money Gallery. I'm interested in the Romans because of their connection with London, or Londonium as they called it. I saw mosaics and artefacts and read about their life in London and across the country. The Romans built defence walls all over the country. But the London Wall is the most impressive.

The Islamic Gallery was impressive with the different worldwide artefacts and objects from different countries. I saw how Islam blended in with different cultural traditions, including dress, entertainment, poetry and music. This was the coolest Gallery, too, so walking around felt very comfortable.

I found my way to the money Gallery, where I found my favourite machine - the Money printing machine. As much as I would like one, I don't think they're available on the general market. I learned something new too. The first coins were minted in Lydia in the 7th Century in today's Central Turkey. The coins were made of electrum, an alloy of gold and silver, and were blobs of metal punch marked on one side.

I reached the museum saturation point in 2 hours, plus it was getting uncomfortably warm inside, too. You could pop down to the atrium and grab something to refuel. Still, I decided I'd had enough Culture for the day and headed outside towards Mallet Street, where UCL University College London - one of the most prominent Universities in the U.K. is based. Plus, it's familiar territory as I worked as a student in the bookshop on Saturdays.

The Great Court

The Great Court, redesigned by Sir Norman Foster, is a modern addition with a glass roof covering the central courtyard, and it opened in 2000. Its impressive design gives the visitor a sense of grandeur and space. I had afternoon tea with an art curator friend upstairs on a previous occasion, and it was a refreshing experience. Plus, I got a private tour of one of the exhibitions and saw artefacts that were off-limits to the general public.

History

It was established in 1753 and opened to the public in 1759. The Museum's collection spans over two million years of history, encompassing artefacts from all continents. The British Museum was founded in 1753, largely based on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The current building was designed by Sir Robert Smirke and was completed in the mid-19th Century.

Controversy

There's been a lot of controversy around the Elgin marbles, which the Greeks and the Benin Bronzes in Nigeria are demanding back.

Facts

❇️Four hundred thirty-five thousand people visited the British Museum each day in September.

❇️You can explore 60 Galleries online

❇️It is one of the most visited museums in the world.

❇️The Museum has over 8 million objects in its numerous collections.

❇️It has the famous Rosetta Stone, which was used to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics.

❇️There are numerous mummies in the Egyptian Collection, including funerary items.

Parting Comments

I'd recommend that any visitor visit the British Museum, which is on the list of places. However, I suggest you consider the galleries you'd like to see because covering everything is virtually impossible. It would take you

I want to go back, but I'd like to go on an outside-of-hours tour, which takes place before opening hours between 8.50 and 10 am. However, there is a fee for each ticket. They have around-the-world tours in 90 minutes, too. At the time of writing, all tours were sold out. For more information, see https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/around-world-90-minutes-tour

Come early if you want to avoid the crowds, but because it's one of the most visited places, expect crowds, especially coach loads of tourists. Pace yourself, keep hydrated, grab a map and explore. It's all free.

For more information on The Museum

https://www.britishmuseum.org/?_gl=1*us57l*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjQ5MjY4OTMzLjE3MTU5NTY2NjQ.*_ga_08TLB9R8X1*MTcxNTk1NjY2NS4xLjEuMTcxNTk1Njc0MS4wLjAuMA..

Thank you for your attention

Tabby