The British Museum

The British Museum is considered to be one of the world's greatest museums of human history and culture. Its permanent collection is amongst the largest and most comprehensive in existence and originates from all corners of the world and documents the complete history of human culture. The British Museum was established in 1753 and opened to the public in 1759 in Montagu House on the site of the current museum building. Its expansion over the following 250 years to 19 million artefacts reflected the expanding British Empire and resulted in the creation a number of associated institutions, the first being the British Museum (Natural History) in South Kensington in 1887. Some objects in the collection, notably the Elgin Marbles, The Rosetta Stone, Benin Bronzes and approximately 24,000 scrolls, manuscripts and paintings are the subject of intense controversy and of calls for restitution to their countries of origin. Visit the incredible collection at the British Museum and stay nearby to also see other London attractions.