The British Museum

Located in Bloomsbury, the British Museum actually began in a different location in 1753. At that time Hans Sloane presented to Parliament the offer to sell his fine collection of antiquities and art at only a fraction of their true value. The Royal Library, presented by George II was added to the museum's collection next.

By the 1880s, the British Museum began to concentrate on collecting, housing and protecting treasures from all around the world. It was at this time that the natural history collection was moved to South Kensington. The British Library was scheduled to move out next. The area once taken over by the British Library was converted into the Great Court, which was designed by Norman Foster and used for the public.

The Great Court opened in 2000 and it is impressive. It has a huge glass and steel roof with a now famous reading room that features a domed ceiling. Today, the room is assigned as a public study area.

Entrance to the British Museum, as it is so with many of Britain's museums, is free. It is well worth the time to visit since it holds numerous priceless artifacts. These include the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, the Egyptian collection, the Rosetta Stone, the Portland vase, and the treasures of Sutton Hoo. More than 70,000 exhibits are on display. In fact, more than 7 million items are showcased including quite a number of drawings and prints.

The British museum is accessible from the Holborn, Russel Square or Tottenham Court Road tube stations. One can also travel by motor car.

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Kyong Reatherford regularly buys train tickets to visit London with First Capital Connect.

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