The British Museum, in the Bloomsbury area of London, United Kingdom, is a public institution dedicated to human history, art and culture. Its permanent collection of some eight million works is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence, having been widely sourced during the era of the British Empire.
The British Museum is now open. Find out how to make the most of your visit to the Museum.
We’ve made a few changes so you can safely enjoy your visit and have been working hard to ensure we are still open and accessible to all. We want the widest number of people to enjoy the building, collection and exhibitions and hope the following information will help you plan your trip to the Museum.
Ticketing and events
- Entry to the Museum is now ticketed for the free, permanent collection as well as paid exhibitions so all visitors, including Members and volunteers, need to book a timed slot in advance.
- Concessions for paying exhibitions and events and special morning tours are available for disabled visitors.
- A companion ticket is also provided free of charge.
- See a full list of exhibitions at the Museum.
Museum entrance and exit
- During the phased reopening of the Museum, entry will be from Great Russell Street only (South entrance), and exit via Montague place (North entrance).
- The main entrance on Great Russell Street has 12 steps with a handrail.
- There are self-operable lifts on both sides of these steps.
Accessible parking
On-site Blue Badge parking
- Please note, due to essential building works across the Museum forecourt we have moved on-site Blue Badge parking.
- There are a limited number of on-site parking spaces available for visitors to the Museum who have a Blue Badge.
- These spaces must be booked in advance.
- To request a space:
- Please allow at least two working days' notice for bookings.
- When booking, you'll be asked to provide:
- Your name
- Contact details
- Vehicle registration number, make and model
- The date and time of your visit
- Blue Badge number
- On arrival at the Museum, the driver of the vehicle will be asked to show their driving license as proof of identity. Please have your Blue Badge clearly on display during your visit.
- For safety and security, vehicles will be searched before entry.
- If asked, you must allow our security officers to search your bags or those of the passengers travelling in the vehicle before you enter the Museum.
- You're not permitted to leave your guide, assistant or companion animals unattended in your vehicle at any time.
- Vehicle access for Blue Badge holders is through the main entrance on Great Russell Street. Visitors using Blue Badge parking can exit via the South entrance.
Off-site Blue Badge parking
- There are Blue Badge parking bays near the Museum on Montague Place, Montague Street and Coptic Street.
Minibus bookings
- Due to space restrictions we are unable to accommodate minibus bookings. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes to your visit
Accessible toilets
Please note, during the phased reopening of the Museum, some areas will be closed to the public. Download a copy of the latest Museum map, which highlights accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. Paper copies of the map are not being distributed at the Museum at this time.
- Accessible toilets are available in the Great Court: Level 0
- All of our accessible toilets have:
- Pull-cord alarms that link back to our Control Room
- A flashing light that indicates when an evacuation is underway
- We don't have a Changing Places toilet on-site. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Seating
- There are some seats in selected galleries, special exhibitions, public spaces, cafés and the Great Court Restaurant.
- Most of our seating is benches or stools.
- There is some seating with backs in selected galleries and in the outside space at the front of the Museum.
- You're welcome to use walking sticks or folding stools with seat attachments, provided they have rubber stoppers.
Sound enhancement system / Induction loops
Induction Loops are installed at the Ticket Desk in the Great Court.
