Two Members closely inspecting Gayer-Anderson cat, a bronze figure depicting one form of the goddess Bastet.

Visiting as a Member

Buy or renew Membership

Free entry

Opening times

Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
Last entry: 16.45 (Fridays: 20.15)

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Get ideas for your next visit

Membership includes access to all special exhibitions as well as the chance to enjoy exclusive viewings, events and online content.

You won't usually need to book to visit special exhibitions (though for some exhibitions, timed entry or advance booking may be required) but you'll need to show your Membership card to gain entry. If you're visiting before your Membership card arrives, please bring your Membership purchase confirmation email and a form of ID to the Membership Desk in the Great Court. We'll then issue a temporary card to access your on-site benefits. 

The visitor and Member cloakroom is located near the Main entrance on Great Russell Street.

Read the Membership FAQs page for any queries about your visit, or contact us at [email protected]

Please note due to essential maintenance works there will be no lift or level access to Africa (Room 25) and the Pizzeria from 18 July – 3 August. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during your visit.

Plan your visit

  • Conservator talking to Member with object in the background

    Members' events

    Enjoy exclusive experiences, from lectures, tours and workshops to film screenings and free events.
  • Detail of double spout and bridge pottery vessel depicting a fantastic bird in flight with a human face

    Little book of big ideas

    Get inspiration on what not to miss during your next visit, plus everything on offer to Members.
  • Members Room

    Members' Room

    Enjoy an exclusive space overlooking the Great Court.
  • Woman looking at the Lewis Chessmen on a red and white chessboard.

    Galleries

    Walk through two million years of history and culture across more than 50 galleries.
  • Female figure made of sandstone, standing with hands folded in front and with a fan-shaped headdress.

    Members' highlight object trail

    Rediscover the permanent collection through objects acquired and funded with contribution from the British Museum Friends.
  • The Great Court Restaurant.

    Museum map

    Navigate the Museum with ease, using our floor-by-floor plan and discover what not to miss.

Entering the Museum

We aim to ensure the quickest entry for Members, so that wherever possible you can skip any queues that may develop. At present we have had to temporarily pause this expedited entry, while we manage the practicalities of weather conditions in the entrance spaces. 

Please speak to staff at the Great Russell Street and Montague Place entrances for guidance on entering the Museum as a Member. Please note that our welcome and security team will ask to see your Membership card or confirmation email. If your card has expired, or you have joined recently but not received your confirmation email, please contact the Membership office before your visit and we'll be happy to help.

Exhibitions

Membership includes access to all special exhibitions, including:

Korea (1 October 2026 – 31 January 2027) will feature standout examples of sculpture, painting and decorative arts from the Bronze Age through to the 20th century, presenting the most comprehensive chronological span of Korean visual and material culture seen in Europe for over 40 years.

Please visit the Membership FAQs page for more information on visiting the Museum.

'The Bayeux Tapestry'

10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027

We are incredibly excited for you all to see The Bayeux Tapestry from 10 September 2026. Given the unprecedented levels of interest and demand, we have introduced a booking process to ensure that Members are guaranteed the best possible viewing opportunities.

Members will need to book a free timed ticket for The Bayeux Tapestry in advance before visiting. The first window for Member priority booking opened on 16 June for visits from 10 September to 31 December 2026 – please note all tickets are now sold out.

Members have two further priority booking windows: 

  • October 2026 for January 2027 to March 2027 dates
  • January 2027 for April to July 2027 dates (your final opportunity)

We'll be working to ensure continued availability of Member-only time slots throughout the run of the Tapestry, but these will be more limited than during priority booking.

Every existing Member will be able to book two separate visits during the full run of the display at no additional cost, plus a 10% discount for further visits during public opening hours. For any Members with guest facilities or additional cardholders, these will all be eligible for inclusion within each booking. Further details can be found within our Membership FAQs.

If you have recently joined online as a Member, use the link in your email confirmation to book when tickets are next available. 

We have received a significant volume of queries, which our team are responding to as quickly as possible. Our phone lines are exceptionally busy, so we would recommend emailing [email protected] for the quickest response – we are very happy to help. Membership FAQs are also available and regularly updated with the latest visiting and booking information. If you have not been receiving our Membership e-newsletters about the Tapestry, please let us know and we can sign you up to receive all updates on future ticket availability.

Contact the Membership Office

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)20 7323 8195

Opening times
Monday–Friday: 10.00–16.00
Closed: weekends and bank holidays

Visit the Membership FAQs for the latest information.