British Museum

Established by an Act of Parliament in 1753, the British Museum opened its doors in Montagu House, on its present site in London’s then fashionable Bloomsbury area, on 15 January 1759.  It is an astonishing place that, in its own words, tells the story of cultural achievement throughout the world, from the dawn of human history over two million years ago until the present day. It is one of the largest collections in the world, with millions of objects – many of which (controversially) originated from the former British Empire, though many have also been found in these islands. There is an enormous area devoted to the ancient classical civilisations of the Middle East, Egypt, Greece and Rome.  As a national museum, there is no entry fee.  In addition to permanent exhibitions based on places and themes, special exhibitions are held too and there can be an entry fee for these.  The British Museum is regularly at the top of the list of the most visited attractions in Britain.  Something in excess of 6 million people – considerably more than the population of Denmark – walk through its doors and tour its galleries every year.