The British Museum in one hour
A ten-stop route of about 60 minutes that solves the level changes and makes sure you see the essential objects without rushing.
One hour sounds like very little in a museum the size of the British Museum. It is enough — provided you follow an ordered route instead of wandering between galleries.
The suggested route
| Minute | Stop | Room | Level | Guide no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–6 | The Rosetta Stone | 4 | 0 | 204 |
| 6–12 | Relief of a lion hunt | 10a | 0 | 214 |
| 12–18 | Sculpture of Ilissos | 18 | 0 | 252 |
| 18–24 | Hoa Hakananai'a | 24 | 0 | 162 |
| 24–30 | Head of a king | 25 | -2 | 184 |
| 30–36 | Mosaic of a double-headed serpent | 27 | 0 | 141 |
| 36–42 | Bodhisattva Tara | 33 | 1 | 611 |
| 42–48 | The David Vases | 95 | 2 | 331 |
| 48–54 | Mummy of Katebet | 63 | 3 | 361 |
| 54–60 | The Lewis Chessmen | 40 | 3 | 502 |
Why this order
Because it climbs the building in one direction instead of bouncing up and down. You start on Level 0, drop once to Level -2 for a single stop, then rise steadily to finish on Level 3. That saves real time in staircases and lifts.
Before you start
- Install the app and open the Top 10 tour before you go in — the audio and images are bundled and need no network.
- Bring your own headphones; the Museum does not lend them.
- Admission to the permanent collection is free, but individual rooms can close for operational reasons.
- Note the room and guide number for each stop before moving on.
If you have longer
- Half a day: take A history of the world (20 stops, about 60 minutes) or Ancient Egypt (10 stops, 45 minutes).
- Three hours: the extended route across the whole Museum, 37 stops.
- With children: Twelve objects to see with children, about 90 minutes.
This is an independent third-party guide. It is not affiliated with, licensed by, endorsed by or operated by the British Museum.
دليل مستقل تابع لجهة ثالثة. لا يتبع المتحف البريطاني ولا يحمل ترخيصًا منه ولا يحظى بتأييده أو تشغيله. يُستخدم اسم المتحف البريطاني لتحديد وجهة الزيارة فقط.
Plan your next visit
Install the guide before you travel, choose your tour, and listen in Arabic without needing a network.
An iPhone app for iOS. No account and no subscription required.
Frequently asked questions
Is one hour enough for the British Museum?
Yes, for the essential ten objects on an ordered route. Broad coverage needs half a day or three hours.
Is admission free?
Admission to the permanent collection at the British Museum is free. Some temporary exhibitions are ticketed.
Can I follow the route without an internet connection?
Yes. The tour images and Arabic audio are bundled in the app and need no network after installation.