Visiting the British Museum
 

Is there a best day or time to visit the British Museum so that we are not fighting through humanity to view the exhibits like the Rosetta stone. Will be high season in July. thereyet

I have not found one other than to avoid weekends. I have been there 3 times, and every time there was a crowd. I was however not prevented from studying the stone as long as I wanted.

My suggestion is to get there on a week day about the time the museum opens and head straight to your highest priority item. If it is the Rosetta Stone, head for the main room and look to your left where the Egyptian stuff is located.

No admission charge, so no wait for a ticket.

Thanks Bob, ever since I was a youngster I have thought about that stone. It was on the cover of a text book in about 4th grade, many moons ago and I just knew I was going to see it one day. Thank God the British spared these antiquities from sure ruin or theft and they are free for the world to come and view. thereyet

We were there in July three years ago and went when it opened on a weekday. It was not ridiculously busy at all. Sure there were people, but we were able to see everything we wanted.

Don't go late in the day in an attempt to avoid crowds. Some sections close before the museum's official closing time.

Earlier is better.

Get there early on a weekday and you should have no problem.

Our tour bus guide said, as we passed the British Museum, "If you're going to steal, steal the best!"

Early or late on a weekday would be best. Remember, tour groups have to have breakfast, have to get organised, etc, etc, so frequently don't pitch up till 10.30 or 11.00am.

The best thing to do with the BM is sample - there is so much to see - so go a few times for an hour or two.

There's no charge so you can do that without breaking the bank. And you'll love it so much you will, or course, leave a healthy contribution at some point - so it can remain free!

Enjoy the Stone.

Also be aware that many British Treasures such as the GUTENBERG BIBLE and Magna Carta which used to be in the British Museum are now in the British Library. It is well worth a visit.
http://www.bl.uk/

While planning for my trip to London several years ago, I made a condensed list of &quot;What to See&quot; at the <b>British Museum</b>, culled from Rick Steves' book, <i>Mona Winks</i>.

Rosetta Stone (196 BC)
Elgin Marbles (450 BC) - Frieze, Pediment Sculptures &amp; Metopes
Lindow Man
Portland Vase
Mold Cape (1900-1600 BC) - Ceremonial gold cape
Rillaton Gold Cup (1700-1500 BC) - Corrugated burial cup
Cuerdale Hoard (905-910) - 8500 silver coins &amp; objects
Sutton Hoo Burial (620-630) - Wooden ship burial chamber
Lewis Chessmen (1150-1200) - Norwegian
Hoxne Treasure (410-430) - 15,000 coins, spoons, jewelry
Mildenhall Treasure (350-400) - Silver dinner serivce
Vindolanda Tablets (90-140) - Letters from Hadrians Wall
Snettisham Torcs (100 BC) - Neck rings, gold &amp; silver
Fishpool Hoard (1464) - 1237 coins, gold, jewelry


I also made a list for the <b>British Library</b>

1. Maps (1250-1570)
2. Bibles:
Codex Sinaiticus (350)
Codex Alexandrus (425)
Unknown Gospel &amp; Gospel of Thomas (150)
King James Version (1611)
3. Lindisfarne Gospels &amp; Illuminations (698) &amp;
Sherborne Missal (1400-1407)
4. Printing:
Diamond Sutra (868)
The Gutenberg Bible (c1455)
5. Notebook of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
6. Magna Carta (1215)
7. Early English Literature:
Beowulf (c1000)
Canterbury Tales (c1410)
8. Shakespeare:
The Shakespeare First Folio (1623)
Hamlet Good - &amp; Bad
9. Other English Literature:
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1862-1864)
Jane Austen's History of England (1791)
Coleridge - Kibla Khan
Charles Dickens (c.1850)
10. Music - The Beatles (and others)

Peace, Robyn :)&gt;-

Robyn-- your list rocks!!

Now Robyne, I really can't wait!!thereyet.