Like most museums in London, visiting the British Museum is free of admission (though some events and special exhibitions have an admission charge). But if it was the most expensive attraction in the city, it would be worth the price. Often rated the number one tourist attraction, it houses millions of artifacts from around the world and through history and a must see on your romantic vacation in London.
Beginning with the collection that branched off to the Natural History Museum, for over 250 years the institution has offered viewers a chance to see history up close in large and small.
The museum gained a reputation for housing significant cultural artifacts as early as 1801 when it acquired the Rosetta Stone. Now displayed outside, this ancient slab contains writings in Egyptian and Greek from the Ptolemaic Period, circa 200BC. It was one of the earliest tools used for deciphering the hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt.
The theme is continued with the large collection of mummies housed in colorful sarcophagi along with statuary from all over the Middle East. Alongside them are a variety of non-human animal mummies, companions that were often buried with the rulers.
Visiting the British Museum
Ancient Greece is equally well represented in the form of a fragment of the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, though the highlight of the section is unquestionably the famous Elgin Marbles. Purchased by Lord Elgin in 1816 from a Turkish Sultan (who ruled Greece at the time), these magnificent works were carved around 440BC. Once a part of the Parthenon, the statuary resides in the Duveen Gallery designed by the architect of the Jefferson Memorial.
Ancient Rome’s influence on Britain is not neglected either. The Weston Gallery houses dozens of items from the Mildenhall Treasure of 4th-century tableware. And, in the next room, visitors can gaze at the Sutton Hoo Treasure. Dating from the 7th century the many swords and helmets, often sporting rubies and sapphires, make a fitting adjunct to the Dark Ages king’s shield displayed.
From a period long before the Roman invasion of Britain, there’s a heavily visited item called ‘the Peat Marsh man’. Discovered by archaeologists in a Cheshire peat marsh, the body of this 1st century unfortunate is believed to be that of a victim of ritual sacrifice.
But objects far outside Europe are also on display. There are examples of Native American hunting artifacts from 10,000 years ago. There are the Sainsbury African Galleries housing ivory, gold and ancient wooden masks. And, in the Korean Foundation Gallery there are numerous porcelain artifacts from Asia.
But be sure to save some time to focus not just on the items housed, but the container. The building and several rooms are themselves cultural artifacts worth seeing.
From its Ancient Greek facade on the exterior to the 19th century round Reading Room in the interior, the British Museum itself is an artwork the equal of any it contains and you will remember it well from your romantic London getaway.
Visiting the British Museum is easy to reach via the London Underground, i.e. ‘the tube’ or subway. Exit at Russell Square.
Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about British Museum
Catalogue of the British echinoderms in the British Museum (Natural History)
Read More About Romantic London
- Buckingham Palace
Visiting Buckingham Palace on your next romantic London getaway is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. Buckingham Palace is still the official residence of Britain’s monarchy, as it has been since Queen Victoria’s designation in 1837. - Harrods
No romantic London getaway would be complete without visiting Harrods. Much of London, for the tourist anyway, is historical. Ancient buildings and centuries old monuments. Palaces and works of art from the ages. - Kew Palace and Gardens
Visiting Kew Palace and Gardens allows you to step inside and explore this intimate and beautiful royal retreat. Kew Palace, known at Dutch House until 1827, was built in 1631 for the Dutch merchant Samuel Fortrey. - Kensington Palace
When visiting Kensington Palace it is important to keep in mind that it has been home to royalty from long before Queen Victoria’s birth there in 1819 to Princess Diana’s residence until her death to today. - Madame Tussauds
Visiting Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is one of the very few attractions in London that is both centuries old and completely modern and a fun thing to do on a romantic London getaway. - Piccadilly Circus
What you need to know about visiting Piccadilly Circus: At the junction of Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue lies a trapezoidal area near London’s West End known to the world as Piccadilly Circus. - Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
If you are visiting Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, you should know that it is in fact long gone – closed by Puritans in 1642 and taken down 2 years later. - St Paul’s Cathedral
Visiting St Paul’s Cathedral is steeped in history. For three hundred years St Paul’s Cathedral has served as one of the enduring symbols of London, a role it richly deserves. - British Museum
Like most museums in London, visiting the British Museum is free of admission (though some events and special exhibitions have an admission charge). - London Eye
Visiting the London Eye on your romantic vacation in London can serve a very good purpose since one of the best ways to see London is from the air. - London Zoo
Visiting the London Zoo may not be on the top of your list since London has such a long history, filled with great churches, monuments, art and history museums that seeking nature here often isn’t what immediately comes to mind. - National Gallery
Since its founding in the mid-19th century, visiting the Natural History museum has offered visitors one of the largest, most diverse collections in the world. - Natural History Museum
Since its founding in the mid-19th century, visiting the Natural History museum has offered visitors one of the largest, most diverse collections in the world. - Royal Observatory
To most visiting the Royal Observatory, the question “What time is it?” is mundane. But to the men and women whom, over the centuries since 1675, have worked at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich it is of huge importance. - Tower of London
There is some history to know about when visiting the Tower of London. Few prisons can claim to be as popular as the Tower of London, an attraction – unpleasant for some – for over 900 years. - West End
For the London traveler looking for variety, the West End is the place to be. Piccadilly Circus is next door, where antique book shops mix with the latest restaurants and Covent Garden is not far. - Trafalgar Square
When visiting Trafalgar Square on a romantic London getaway, you will see that it is the center of England in more ways than one. - Westminster Abbey
Visiting Westminster Abbey continues to attract visitors over 900 years after its founding as it is a church, burial ground, coronation site and much more.
