The British Museum ★★★

The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marble, and the Assyrian lion hunt are just some of the myriad art treasures we’ll see in this 3-hour, in-depth British Museum Tour. Led by a trained archaeologist or historian, this walk not only explores the history of the museum and its controversial history of collecting, but goes in-depth with some of its many treasures from antiquity. Together, we'll rediscover not only the museum's well-known Ancient Egyptian and Greek treasures, but some of its lesser-known, but no less magnificent, Assyrian, Persian, and Mesopotamian artifacts.

• British Museum Tour led by an expert docent trained in history or archaeology
• A insider's visit to the British Museum
• Small group sightseeing in London—6 people max

"I felt like I had goggles taken off and I could see for the first time"

British Museum Tour

We generally start with a thorough overview of how the British Museum came into existence in the mid-eighteenth century, visiting to the Enlightenment Gallery, formerly known as the King’s Library—the first part of the new museum building as it is seen today. Here we will look at how the discipline of archaeology evolved—in this very room!—from the work of antiquaries. We'll also look at how art history was born here with the study of ancient Greek sculpture and vase painting, and how Greek art set the standard for the next 200 years of what was considered the model of fully-evolved art. For people interested in intellectual history, we've arrived at a major crossroads.

Antiquities & the Rosetta Stone

From here we will traverse the halls of the museum, visiting its most important rooms. This includes the Egyptian collection. Here, we will discuss how ancient texts came to be deciphered in the first place and will compare the ways in which hieroglyphs and cuneiform, the two earliest scripts, were cracked.

Ancient Iran and Iraq

We will also look at several of the antiquities and languages of ancient Iraq and Iran, as material from these areas forms some of the earliest collections in the British Museum. Large-scale excavation in the ancient Middle East and the race to decipher hieroglyphic and cuneiform scripts were inspired by the finds from Mesopotamia and Persia. The beginnings of the British Museum are inextricably tied to the European re-discovery of these ancient cultures.

Interested in touring another can't-miss museum? Try our National Gallery Tour.

Depending on Interest

Our discussion will be illustrated by the Rosetta Stone, which now lives in the British Museum, along with nearly 130,000 pieces of cuneiform tablets from ancient Iraq, some of which are on display. Depending on the interests of our docent and the group, we may then spend time looking more in-depth at the art of ancient Iran and/or of ancient Iraq in its earlier phases, before taking in the palace reliefs of ancient Assyrian kings that form the best collection of ancient Iraqi sculpture outside Baghdad. Or, we'll spend the rest of our time looking at the Parthenon Marbles.

For a different view of archaeology in London, see our Hidden London Tour.

Take Aways

"Our docent's enthusiasm for this subject was contagious" is a refrain we hear often on this walk. Indeed, this is one of our goals: To focus on the inspiring, world-historical events that have taken place in and around the British Museum and the objects she houses, and impart a sense of wonder and appreciation among the tour participants. At the end of our time together we will emerge with a better understanding of this major institution and the key role it continues to play in intellectual life worldwide.

FAQs

Where does the tour start? Where does it end?

The tour meets near the British Museum, in an easy to find location away from the crowds. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24/7 phone number. The walking tour ends inside the Museum.

Will we see the Parthenon Marbles?

Yes, they are part of the itinerary. In general, we encourage you to share with us your interests so we can adjust the tour to best meet your expectations.

Do we need to pay a ticket to get in?

No, unless you want to see one of the temporary exhibitions, the museum is free. However, donations are greatly appreciated.

Is the British Museum accessible?

The Great Russell Street entrance has 12 steps with a handrail. There are self-operable lifts on both sides of the steps. There is level access at the Montague Place entrance. The majority of galleries and all special exhibitions are fully accessible.

Is this tour good for kids and teens?

Yes! We have some excellent family friendly docents who can appeal to the learning styles of children. We have a separate British Museum for Families walk just for families with children 12 and under. When booking, please provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible docent.

Mummies. Parthanon marbles. Roman mosaics. The British Museum stimulates the imagination with an unrivaled collection of antiquities, representing fascinating civilizations from the past. Bring the family and join one of our archaeologists trained in visual thinking strategies for this British Museum for Kids tour, an interactive look at the ancient world and its traditions, religions, and lives. Together, we'll pick a civilization and trace their history, learning more about their day-to-day lives, and what we can learn from them today.

• British Museum for Kids tour led by archaeologists and anthropologists
• Small groups—max 6 people
• Hands-on, interactive activities for children

British Museum for Kids

Located in the beautiful Bloomsbury neighborhood, the British Museum holds one of the richest and most eclectic public art collections in the world. From the Rosetta Stone, to the lion hunt, to the king's palace at Nineveh, the museum is packed full of artwork that can enhance your family's understanding of the ancient world.

Looking for the grown-up version of this tour? Try our British Museum Tour.

An Interactive Tour with Activities

Our walk begins just outside the museum, where we'll learn about how the museum was founded and how the passion for collecting is still today at the core of this incredible institution. From here we'll go inside, and using fun educational tools, we will pick a theme or a particular civilization and follow its development throughout time. We may, for instance, focus on the development of scripture from cuneiform to hieroglyphic to our modern alphabet, using tools like the Rosetta Stone and other ancient inscriptions. We'll make sure to include a visit to the Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon marbles.

Looking for more family-friendly activities? Try our Tower of London for Kids Tour.

Ancient England

Depending on the kids interests, we may focus on the development of civilization in England: from prehistoric, with a visit to the Lindow Man, to Roman Britain (looking at mosaics and tablets from the Vindolanda settlement), and then finishing up with some of the stunning Sutton Hoo finds.

"My 8-year-old was completely entranced by our guide and left the museum wanting to be an archeologist."

In order to plan the best possible experience for your children, it would be helpful for us know some background. Have they traveled to other countries in the past? If so, where? Have they studied any subjects in school that would relate to the walk? Are they interested in art, music, even food? The more you can tell us, the better.

FAQ

Where are we meeting our guide?

Once you book your tour we'll send you all details regarding where to meet your guide and how to get there.

Do we need tickets to go inside the British Museum?

No, the museum is free to the public, however donations are appreciated. There are donation boxes at all main entrances to the gallery.

Is this tour good for kids?

Absolutely yes! This tour was designed by our museum educators and docents to be fun and interactive. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible docent.

Is this walk accessible to wheelchair users?

Yes, the gallery is fully accessible.

Join this 2.5-hour tour where your guide will use the British Museum to help tell the story of why the world is what it is today. Discover divine antiquities like the Holy Thorn Reliquary as well as world renowned treasures such as the Lewis Chessmen. Examine the Rosetta Stone closely and learn why it is the key to unlocking Egyptian hieroglyphics. Immerse yourself within the Parthenon Sculptures and hear stories of ancient Greece.

Meet your guide in the afternoon at the steps of the museum. The path you trace will take you from our origins in the wild to the first stirrings of human civilization and the wonders of the Enlightenment. See the Rosetta Stone, a double-headed Aztec serpent, the Lewis chessmen, a mechanical solar system, the Parthenon sculptures, a statue of Ramesses II and the Holy Thorn Reliquary. These are just some of the artifacts you will use to travel through time. Through them explore how the agricultural revolution transformed our world, why people have gods, kings, money and writing, the role of germs, war and empire, and how humans have learned to question everything. 

At the end of the tour you will have seen many of the museum’s highlights and will understand a little better why the world around you is the way it is. The tour will take a short break in the middle, during which you can buy drinks and refreshments and get to know your tour guide and fellow adventurers.

Meet your guide at Temple Underground Station in London, then board a comfortable minivan and head to St Paul’s Cathedral. On arrival, show your pre-booked ticket or pay your entrance fee (depending on the option selected), and then explore the 17th-century cathedral on an independent, audio-guided tour. Take in the skyline from the dome and descend to the crypt to see the tombs of famous British figures like Sir Winston Churchill.

After roughly 1.5 hours, join back up with your guide and continue to the Mall for the Changing of the Guard. Along the way, pass showstopper sights like 10 Downing Street, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and learn more about London's history. Hop out of your minivan in Trafalgar Square and set off on foot to Buckingham Palace. See Horse Guards Parade and other royal residences, then marvel at the pageantry of the world-famous ceremony as you march alongside the guards on the Mall.

Continue by minivan to the Tower of London, a majestic castle first built in the 11th century, stopping off on route for lunch (own expense). On arrival, opt to join a complimentary tour by one of the Beefeater guards to learn more about the tower's role in British history. Then, enjoy time at your leisure to see the Crown Jewels, White Tower, Traitor's Gate and other highlights. Alternatively, if you've not upgraded to include entrance fees, make the most of free time to explore the City of London at your own pace. Perhaps stroll along the banks of the Thames River or visit nearby Tower Bridge (own expense).

Make your final stop of the day at the British Museum, which boast the largest collection of antiquities in the world, spanning two million years. Your guide helps you navigate more easily around the vast museum and sheds light on prestigious exhibits such as the Rosetta Stone. If there's any area of history you're particularly interested in, let your guide know so your visit can be tailored to suit your interests.
When the time comes, stroll to the nearest tube stop and ask for directions on how to get back to your accommodation, if required.
Viator Exclusives combine unique experiences and great deals — from traditional tours to once-in-a-lifetime experiences — and are not available from other 3rd-party online sellers.

Visit the wonderful British Museum on this 3-hour private tour with your own art historian guide. The British Museum, one of the world’s greatest historical treasure troves, is the largest ethnographic Museum in the world- culture is its theme. It represents not only British culture but it is a collection of World cultures such as the Egyptian, Assyrian, Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman, Pacific Ocean and Eastern Cultures.

This British Museum tour is ideal for a personalised perspective on the collections. Among the main objects are some of the most important Egyptian statues, the Egyptian Mummies, the famous Assyrian Lion Hunt, the Standard of Ur, the Parthenon Marbles, Roman sculpture with the famous Portland Cameo Vase and many more.

Begin your half day experience by exploring the cultures and civilizations through the monumental collection at the British Museum spanning 6000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Your guide will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, learn about the master painters whose names fill the halls of the National Gallery. You’ve heard of Seurat and da Vinci, but what do you really know about them? Learn about the painters behind the paintings as we browse our favorite works by other masters like Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. If none of those names mean anything to you, your guide will make sure that changes by the end of the tour. The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. During your tour, you'll be arm with the essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

Start off your walking tour to London with an introduction to culture and civilizations at the monumental collection of the British Museum, spanning 6,000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You will learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen and the original Rosetta Stone.  Walk away with an understanding of what humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you will be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, continue with your guide to understand London through its history as you walk through its urban landscape. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that define London. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

Trade in paintings for mummies and historical artifacts on a tour of the British Museum. The enormous collection spans 6000 years of human history, featuring items from all over the world including Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

Meet your private guide outside the British Museum at 10am, then step inside to begin your 5-hour tour.

At The British Museum discover valuable treasures such as the Mummy of Katebet, the Oxus Treasure, the Parthenon sculptures, and the Rosetta Stone. During your tour, explore 6,000 years of human history and learn of primitive tribes and mighty empires through the ages.

After lunch (own expense), head onward to the National Gallery Admire works such as Johannes Vermeer’s A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal, Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, or Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, and hear essential details on the meanings behind the works. Explore the galleries and hallways — home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer — and gain insight into art history dating back to the 14th century.

When your guided visit comes to an end, continue exploring at your leisure or step outside to conclude your tour.

Start off your private trip to London with an introduction to culture and civilizations at the monumental collection of the British Museum, spanning 6000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, continue with your guide to understand London through its history as you walk through its urban landscape. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that define London. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

Trade in paintings for mummies and historical artifacts on a tour of the British Museum. The enormous collection spans 6000 years of human history, featuring items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Your guide will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items.

You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

This English-language tour is intended for skeptical non-believers, or people of any or no religion. Wheelchairs and portable canvas stools are freely available if needed. The content is mostly in the Assyrian, Egyptian and Mesopotamia rooms of the British Museum, including an analysis of the Amarna Letters, Amenhotep III and Akhenaten, the origin of writing and the alphabet, the link between the Chinese language and Genesis, seeing God's actual name in the Lachish Letters, evidence for some events recorded in Genesis including the global Flood and the saving of Jerusalem, and the amazing significance of the (Persian) Cyrus Cylinder.

Meet your local tour guide at the 'boy on horse' statue (next to the Information Desk) at an agreed time. No meals or drinks are included, but are available easily within the museum and in nearby cafes. You need to arrive at the front entrance of the British Museum and allow time to get through the security procedure where bags and bulges are searched. You may bring a notepad, pen and a bible if you wish. No recording of the tour is allowed to be published in any format for others to see or hear.

Meet your guide in central London, and then head inside the prestigious British Museum for your 2.5-hour tour. A veritable treasure trove, the museum showcases the story of human culture and history, and is home to artifacts from around the world, not just Britain!

Some 70 galleries comprise the museum’s vast exhibition space, so follow your guide to discover its highlights while listening to entertaining anecdotes, trivia and history. Headphones are provided so you can hear clearly at all times. Athenian marble, Egyptian mummies and English treasures from burial sites at Sutton Hoo — said to date to Anglo-Saxon times — are just a handful of the artifacts seen.

Hear of the real Rosetta Stone, which played an important part in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, and gaze in awe at the gigantic Parthenon Frieze. Measuring 525-foot (160-meters) long, the attention-grabbing sculpture once stole the limelight in the Acropolis of Athens. Today, the sculpture is said to be one of the most important surviving relics of classical Greece. Other highlights of your tour include the Egyptian Rooms with their impressive collection of mummies. Learn about the importance of death and the afterlife in Ancient Egyptian culture while viewing human history in person.

Your tour finishes inside the museum, but you can stay inside for longer, if you wish, to view the exhibits independently. A good selection of restaurants and cafes are on site, if you want to eat after your tour at your own expense.