Theatre
Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road
London West End Theatre:
Plays at London’s West End and New York’s Broadway are generally the best in the English speaking world. With both new and old plays coming to the West End regularly (running times depend on popularity), there is something for the seasoned theatre goer as well as the first – timer. The current record for the longest show in London’s West.
Currently renowned for its glass roof and Grecian façade, the British Museum was first established in Bloomsbury in 1753. It was the first museum of its kind – not belonging to the Church or the Monarchy and open to the public.
Over the next 250 years, the Museum’s collection grew and the Bloomsbury site developed. The 43 Grecian columns that we recognise today were completed in 1857 and the Great Court opened in the year 2000.
Some of the famous permanent collections include:
- Rosetta Stone – the Rosetta Stone was used to decipher ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Split into 3 sections (Ancient Greek, Hieroglyphics and Demotic Egyptian), translators used the Greek and Egyptian texts to decipher the hieroglyphic code.
- The Elgin Marbles – these sculptures were originally built to honour the Goddess Athena at The Parthenon in Ancient Greece. They were acquired by Lord Elgin in the 19th Century and purchased by the British Museum in 1816. Over the years there has been some controversy about whether these sculptures should be returned to Greece or remain at the Museum.
- Mummy of Katabet – the British Museum is home to many amazing mummies but the Mummy of Katebet is one of the most impressive. She wears a striking golden mask, was found at Thebes and dates back to 1300BC.
- Samurai Armour – the Japanese exhibition at the British Museum covers everything from ancient flame pots to Samurai armour to manga exhibits. The large Samurai armour collection is impressive and includes 16th century bulletproof breast pieces and elaborate neck and leg pieces from the 18th Century.
The British Museum has free entry to its permanent collections, but booking is required for special exhibitions and tours. We recommend booking early to secure your spot. Audio guides are also available. The museum is visited by approximately 7 million people per year.
Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/