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Be part of history

Browse all exhibitions and events
  • A historic loan from France

    The Bayeux Tapestry . Coming September 2026 .

    • Experience
    • 10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027
    Coming September 2026
    Section of the Bayeux Tapestry showing a group of warriors with shields and spears on horseback charging from left to right.

Special exhibitions

  • Korea . Book now .

    • Exhibition
    • 1 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
    Book now
    A section of Sun, Moon and Five Peaks, a painting in vivid blues, greens and reds of mountains, trees and the sun on a folding screen.

Free exhibitions and displays

  • Early Netherlandish drawings . Free .

    • Exhibition
    • 16 April – 20 September 2026
    Free
    A 16th-century sketch of a young woman's face in red chalk by Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen.
  • John Constable
    views of nature
    . Free .

    • Exhibition
    • 2 June – 4 October 2026
    Free
    Watercolour painting of people in a rowboat by the bank of a river, with a large tree and a house in the background.

Free exhibitions and displays

  • Declaring independence
    USA 250
    . Free .

    • Exhibition
    • 30 June – 29 November 2026
    Free
    Engraved silver medal. George Washington in military uniform facing front, G W monogram either side. Native American figure with bow and arrow seated next to a classical column decorated with thirteen hands.
  • Admonitions of the instructress to the court ladies . Book now .

    • Exhibition
    • 13 July – 24 August 2026
    Book now
    Three figures and calligraphy upon an ancient scroll.

Highlight events

  • Detail of an ink and watercolour painting showing birds and a dragon.
    Family activity
    • Various dates
    Free

    Summer storytelling: Firedrakes, folktales and falling stars . Free .

    Join Olivia Armstrong for a series of free family story telling sessions inspired by strange creatures, fantastic fables and the night sky.
    Find out more
  • Illustration showing prehistoric human mans holding a flint handaxe and an iron pyrite stone, striking them together to create sparks which shoot out against the black background.
    Lectures & discussions
    • £10
    • 4 September 2026
    Book now

    The first sparks: a revolutionary discovery from ancient Britain . Book now .

    Find out how a discovery in Suffolk is transforming what we know about one of humanity's defining achievements: the ability to make fire.
    Book now
  • People crafting around a table with fabric and thread.
    Festivals & special events
    • 9 October 2026
    Free

    Bayeux Late: medieval making . Free .

    Join us for the start of the Bayeux Tapestry opening festival with the first Bayeux Late featuring workshops and activities.
    Find out more

Guided tours

Browse all guided talks and tours
  • A group looking at sculptures on display in a gallery.
    Gallery talks & tours
    • Various dates
    Book now

    Desire, love, identity – an LGBTQ+ tour of the British Museum . Book now .

    Explore a fascinating selection of objects with LGBTQ connections, from the ancient world to the present day, on our volunteer-led tour.
    Book Desire, love, identity – an LGBTQ+ tour of the British Museum now
  • A tour group looking at lintel carvings in the Mexico gallery.
    Gallery talks & tours
    • £15
    • Various dates
    Book now

    Around the world in 90 minutes tour . Book now .

    Join a 90-minute guided tour exploring the British Museum's most iconic artifacts, from ancient Greek sculptures to Egyptian antiquities.
    Book Around the world in 90 minutes tour now
  • Small groups of children and adults looking in display cases in the Enlightenment gallery.
    Gallery talks & tours
    • £35
    • Various dates
    Book now

    Out-of-hours tour: an introduction to the British Museum . Book now .

    Explore the oldest room in the Museum in this special guided tour before the galleries open to the public.
    Book Out-of-hours tour: an introduction to the British Museum now

You may also be interested in

  • A close up of a section of a feathered Hawai'ian cloak showing yellow and black crescent shaped sections on a red background.

    Past exhibitions

    Take a look at our past exhibitions and enjoy the articles, videos and image galleries still available to view online.
  • Ancient Egyptian artefacts, including furniture and chests displayed on a blue background

    UK touring exhibitions and loans

    Discover how the British Museum works with UK museums, galleries and communities to share the collection with as many people as possible.
  • A photo of a gallery containing ancient Egyptian sculpture, with a man in the foreground looking at an exhibit and other three people in the background.

    International touring exhibitions

    The British Museum partners with museums worldwide to share the collection with international audiences.

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Free entry

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London WC1B 3DG

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Opening hours

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

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