15 Minute Finds: The British Museum

Standing proudly in Bloomsbury since 1759, the British Museum is one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions, offering visitors an unparalleled journey through human history. Founded on the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, the museum was the first national public museum to be free and open to all. Its neoclassical façade and soaring Great Court (designed by Sir Norman Foster) serve as a fitting entrance to a collection that spans continents and millennia. With over eight million objects in its care, the museum tells the story of civilisations past, from ancient Egypt and Greece to the Indigenous cultures of the Americas and beyond.

Among its most celebrated treasures are the Rosetta Stone, which unlocked the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphs, and the colossal Assyrian winged bulls from Nimrud. The Egyptian galleries, with their mummies and statues of pharaohs, continue to captivate visitors, while the Sutton Hoo ship burial and the Lewis chessmen offer compelling glimpses into early British history. The museum’s Enlightenment Gallery preserves the spirit of18th-century discovery, displaying antiquities in the manner of early collectors. Every room holds a story—sometimes controversial, always fascinating—about the movement of objects and the shaping of history.

Today, the British Museum remains a cornerstone of cultural and educational life in London. Entry is still free, reflecting its founding principles of open access to knowledge and cultural heritage. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned scholar, the museum offers an experience that is both awe-inspiring and deeply thought-provoking. Its ever-evolving exhibitions, world-class research programs, and family-friendly activities make it a destination not only for learning but for inspiration, connection, and global understanding. And if you cannot visit just yet, but want to explore the richness of the human story, check out the British Museum podcast.