The British Museum is one of the world's greatest and most famous museums. It was established on the present site in 1753 and is home to some six million objects covering the story of human culture from its first beginning to the present day.

The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court is a covered square at the centre of The British Musuem designed by the architects [Foster and Partners]?. The Great Court opened in December 2000 and is the largest covered square in Europe. The roof is a glass and steel construction with 3312 uniquely shaped glass panes. At the centre of the Great Court is the Reading Room vacated by the British Library.

History of The British Museum
To be written ...

Highlights of the collections

• The [Echo in the reading room]?, which Gerard Hoffnung recommended.
• The [Elgin Marbles]?, carvings from the Athenian Parthenon, (which are Greek in origin and are wanted back by the Greek people)
• The Portland Vase
• The Rosetta Stone
• The Stein collection from Central Asia.
• The Clock Room

Information

Admission to the The British Museum is free.

Museum opening hours

Sat-Wed 10.00-17.30

Thu & Fri 10.00-20.30

Great Court opening hours

Mon 9.00-18.00

Thu-Wed 9.00-21.00

Thu-Sat 9.00-23.00

Sun 9.00-21.00

Location

Great Russell Street

London WC1B 3DG

---

External links

• The official web site of The British Museum
  • http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk