out of hours tours british museum

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Out-of-hours tours

View of the Enlightenment gallery (Room 1).

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Tour information

Daily: 08.50–10.00 

Meeting point

Main entrance – Great Russell Street (WC1B 3DG) Please bring your email confirmation.

Ticket information

Advance booking only £33 (Adults) £30 (Members) £30 (Concessions: students, jobseekers, disabled visitors) £16.50 (Ages 5–15 years) Free for under 5s and disabled visitors' assistant (no booking required)

For any queries on booking please email:  [email protected]

Experience the highlights of the collection in private with our volunteer-led out-of-hours tours.

Whether you want to navigate the history of the ancient Greeks or walk in the footsteps of pharaohs, immerse yourself in humanity's greatest civilisations without the crowds.

Choose from:  An introduction to the British Museum An introduction to ancient Egypt Life and death in ancient Egypt An introduction to China An introduction to the ancient Greek world

In line with current government and NHS guidance, face masks are not mandatory but guests are welcome to wear them if they wish. The Museum maintains a robust cleaning schedule and hand sanitiser stations are available across the site.  Further information can be found in our FAQs section .

An introduction to the British Museum

Explore the oldest room in the Museum in this special guided tour before the galleries open to the public.

Uncover the origins of an extraordinary collection as you learn about the beginnings of the British Museum in 1753 and its subsequent development. The Enlightenment gallery ( Room 1 ) focuses on the 18th century, an era of new knowledge, scientific discovery and European colonialism. The Collecting the world gallery ( Room 2 ) focuses on the growth of the collection from the 18th century to the present day.

This tour provides a thought-provoking introduction to the Museum, which you're free to explore afterwards.

Galleries on this tour:

• Room 1: Enlightenment gallery
• Room 2: Collecting the world

An introduction to ancient Egypt

Enjoy exploring one of the most iconic spaces in the Museum and discover the fascinating history of ancient Egypt in this special guided tour, before the galleries open to the public.

In the Egyptian sculpture gallery ( Room 4 ), you can see impressive statues of kings and gods, monumental tomb architecture and ancient tomb reliefs spanning 3,000 years. These include the imposing colossal bust of Ramesses II and the Gayer-Anderson Cat. You can learn the importance of large-scale sculpture in ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, and get the perfect introduction to this unmissable collection. 

Gallery on this tour: 

• Room 4: Egyptian sculpture (Opens in new window)

Life and death in ancient Egypt

Discover how people lived and died in ancient Egypt, and explore their hopes and aspirations for the afterlife.    From painted coffins, statues and models of daily life to spectacular wall paintings from the tomb-chapel of the high official Nebamun, investigate what tombs and burial goods tell us about the lives of ancient Egyptian people. The tour will explore the preparation of the deceased for burial, including mummification, and the use of magic to help and protect people on their perilous journey to the afterlife. 

This tour visits displays that include human remains. The British Museum is committed to curating human remains with care, respect and dignity. Find out more about our principles governing the holding, display and study of  human remains .

• Room 61: Egyptian life and death: the tomb chapel of Nebamun (The Michael Cohen Gallery)
• Rooms 62–63: Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies (The Roxie Walker Galleries)
• Room 64: Early Egypt (The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery)

An introduction to China

Journey through the extraordinary cultures of China in this special guided tour before the Museum opens to the public.

In the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China ( Room 33 ), you will gain an insight into the development of Chinese history and culture from 5000 BC to the present day.

In a beautifully refurbished space which has recently re-opened, this introductory tour will give you a deep appreciation for the magnificent objects on display. Featuring spectacular Tang dynasty tomb figures buried around AD 728 and beautiful Ming dynasty blue-and-white porcelain.

Gallery on this tour:

• Room 33: China ( Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery )

An introduction to the ancient Greek world

Embark on a guided journey through the ancient Greek world; from the rise of the Greek city states to the empire of Alexander the Great.

Enjoy some of the highlights of the Museum's exceptional collection, including sculptures from the Parthenon and Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Galleries on this tour:  

• Room 12b: Greece: Mycenaeans  (The Arthur I Fleischman Gallery)
• Room 15: Athens and Lycia
• Room 18: Greece: Parthenon
• Room 21: Mausoleum of Halikarnassos
• Room 22: The World of Alexander

How many places are available on each tour?

Tours are limited to a maximum of 20 places per session (14 for Life and death in ancient Egypt). If you would like to bring a group of 10 or more people or arrange a special out-of-hours tour, please email [email protected] to discuss your options.

Can I bring wheeled cases and large items of luggage with me?

Wheeled cases and large items of luggage are not allowed on British Museum premises.

Will the cloakroom be open?

Cloakroom facilities are not available on these tours.

When does the tour start?

Each tour starts at 09.00 and lasts for one hour, including time at the end for you to take photographs.

Can I continue my Museum visit after the tour?

Once the tour ends your tour ticket enables access to the permanent collection.

Can groups now visit the Museum?

If you wish to bring a group of eight or more people or arrange a special out-of-hours tour, please email [email protected] to discuss your options.

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The 5 Best British Museum Tours [2024 Reviews]

As the first national public museum of the world, the British Museum brings all kinds of cultures together with countless artifacts and historical accounts.

While there are plenty of incredible art museums in London, but if you’re a history buff like me, this is a can’t-miss! There’s a ton to see, however, so I highly recommend taking a proper tour to guide you through the most notable pieces.

I’ve carefully curated a guide to the 5 top tours of the British Museum out there, so you don’t have to worry about which ones are actually worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Thames Dinner Cruises , Windsor Castle Tours and Buckingham Palace Tours .

Best British Museum Guided Tours

Quick answer: the 5 best british museum private & guided tours for 2024.

• The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max
• Private Guided Tour of the British Museum
• Kid-Friendly Private British Museum Highlights and Walk to Covent Garden London
• The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour
• British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour

British Museum Tour Reviews

1. the british museum london guided museum tour – semi-private 8ppl max.

• Duration: 2.5 Hours
• Departure: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:30 & 5:00 PM
• Includes:  Semi-private museum tour, no more than 8 participants, professional tour guide

London’s cultural landscape is like some type of treasure trove filled with intense history, art, and fascinating artifacts. The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max  experience is one of those top-tier tours that I wish I’d found out about earlier.

If you want an in-depth yet intriguing way to see the over 6,000 years of history under one roof, look no further!

The tour starts off by meeting the guide right outside the museum gates, where we instantly hit it off and were able to ask them any questions we had along the way.

They asked us about any specific interests we had, and as our group was limited to just 8 participants, it felt very intimate and fun. We then received a briefing of what to expect and the history of the museum, which really set the tone for a fascinating next few hours.

Our whole group was open to seeing pretty much anything and everything, so we started off by following our educated guide through the different rooms to see a wide array of impressive ancient and medieval exhibits.

The Rosetta Stone was so fascinating to me, especially because it essentially unlocked the ancient Egyptian world, from the language to their afterlife beliefs.

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I’m a huge fan of ancient Greek sculptures, so being able to see the Parthenon sculptures was something of a dream – we even learned how a massive gold and ivory image of Athena used to stand inside the Parthenon!

What was really cool was that we easily had the best guide in the place, who spoke to us more like longtime friends and relayed information about each artifact in a way that was easy to comprehend.

They never made us feel like we should have a certain level of knowledge, and while our group varied in education about certain subjects he spoke to all of us in a way that made sense.

Overall, this was a great tour that I’d recommend to anyone of any age or background who’d like to explore the British Museum in an effective way.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other london experiences you may enjoy:, 2. private guided tour of the british museum.

• Duration: 2 Hours
• Departure: Great Russell Street, London, UK
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 2:00 & 5:00 PM
• Includes: Licensed and insured guide, entrance ticket

I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely taken some boring museum tours throughout my life and don’t always look forward to them. Many times, I’ve just wandered through museums and hoped for the best by reading up beforehand on some of the sites I’m most interested in.

However, with tours like the Private Guided Tour of the British Museum , my mind was changed and I discovered that with the right guide the entire experience can be elevated.

Upon meeting our guide, I was instantly captivated by both her knowledge and skilled way of speaking while showcasing the best the museum has to offer.

Sometimes it just feels like you’re wandering around or the guide is making things up as they go, but that was not the case here. She was a true leader and clearly knew exactly what she was talking about and where to go, taking a seamless route that tied everything together, effortlessly.

Even though the artifacts from room to room vary wildly, she somehow weaved each piece of history together, relating the different civilizations and discoveries to the other.

It was a super cool way to see the museum and learn, especially as I am a big fan of world history!

I learned a ton of fun facts and larger concepts that I admittedly didn’t even know about prior to this tour, and I loved how she included plenty of lesser-known artifacts, too.

The museum is so massive, that it will not only save you time but frustration by going on a curated experience such as this tour, with a guide who has a ton of in-depth knowledge.

While the tour lasts only a few hours, it flew by even faster than expected thanks to the captivating stories regaled to our little group. While it is a bit more expensive, this is a small-group experience maxing out at 6 people, so it’s well worth it!

Search For Other London Experiences You May Enjoy

3. kid-friendly private british museum highlights and walk to covent garden london.

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
• Includes: Local guide, Professional Blue Badge guide, Private Tour

While the British Museum may not be the first sight that pops into your head when planning a trip with kids in tow, it’s actually perfect for curious young minds.

If that sounds like what you’re looking for, the Kid-Friendly Private British Museum Highlights and Walk to Covent Garden London Tour  is just the ticket!

Lead by expert guides who clearly have a knack for teaching and keeping younger people intrigued, this interactive tour is tailored specifically for children aged 6 to 12 years old. However, that’s not to say that it’s not for people older than that, or the information isn’t accurate.

In fact, I had a fantastic time and felt like this was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a museum tour – as a child or as an adult!

The tour starts out with a warm welcome from your guide, who right off the bat created a space that made everyone feel comfortable enough to learn and ask any questions.

From Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures to decoding hieroglyphics, this hands-on experience made these artifacts come to life.

As this is a private tour, you don’t have to worry about big groups and your guide will even help personalize the experience.

I know that moving through museums with kids can be a delicate manner, but our tour guide kept everyone so entertained that there wasn’t even a moment for them to think about “accidentally” touching something they weren’t supposed to or playing tag next to ancient artifacts.

They gave us a shortlist to the most popular sites, narrating each one with fascinating historical accounts in a way that younger kids can easily digest. If you’re looking to bring children to the British Museum, look no further, because this is the best tour of them all.

4. The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:30 and 5:00 PM
• Includes:  Guided museum tour, tour guide

The British Museum holds around 8 million items – needless to say, you can spend quite a bit of time there if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

With The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour , you can rest easy knowing that your guide will create a custom itinerary designed around what you’re most interested in seeing!

These are the experts who know the museum like the back of their hand, maximizing your time in this absolute gem of an attraction.

Another huge pull for me with this tour was just how affordable it was for the sheer value received, making it one of those “biggest bang for your buck” experiences!

Lasting 2.5 hours, I wasn’t prepared for just how much I was able to see and learn about, at a pace that went smoothly and just made sense. This definitely isn’t one of those run-of-the-mill museum tours where the guide is just rattling off commonly known information!

We started out by meeting our guide right outside the museum gates, where they gave us a briefing on the history of the museum building and some of the most notable artifacts. We then got to head right inside, wasting no time to get to the best parts!

While the Rosetta Stone, mummies, and sculptures are absolute musts, I was surprised at the amount of amazing art!

Do not miss the drawings by Botticelli and Michelangelo, the Assyrian reliefs, the Lewis Chessmen, and much more! The tour consisting of carefully selected items was phenomenal, with our guide sharing tons of valuable, entertaining stories.

Our guide tailored our tour to lean a bit towards art as that’s one of my main interests, and I do recommend stopping by these exhibits! If you’re looking to gain a deeper understanding of what humans are capable of, let’s go!

5. British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour

• Departure: 49 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3BA
• Departure Time:  Varies
• Includes:  Private expert guide, customizable tour

Are you looking for a tour that’s just a couple of hours long to try and fill your itinerary with a fun, entertaining tour experience?

If so, then check out the British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour  is completely customizable, so there’s no more dealing with monotonous tours that you didn’t sign up for!

Known as the “World’s Museum”, expect to see lots of big tourist attractions, along with plenty of “hidden” gems that most don’t get to see.

I met up with my guide right outside the museum, and while I chose to do a morning tour, there are tons of different start times available for added convenience. As it’s just a few hours long, I’d say it’s super easy to fit into even the busiest of itineraries!

Before we got started, he did ask me if I had any specific interests or preferences as to what we explore inside the museum, creating a customized schedule based on that.

I couldn’t believe how affordable this tour was when I realized that it was completely private, which ended up literally just being me and my guide.

It was like I had a best friend local to the area taking me around to all the sites I want to see while giving me a fun, intriguing narrative on each one. I was able to ask plenty of questions, and he answered each one with confidence which only enriched my experience further.

I felt that this tour was very comfortable with a pace that wasn’t too fast nor too slow, even taking breaks intermittently to rest and go for a coffee/pastry!

I can say with confidence that this guide knew just about everything in the museum, and on the private tour I felt comfortable asking anything that came to mind. I highly recommend this tour for anyone!

Tour Guides

The The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max is our Editors Choice for the best British Museum tour

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best wine tours from florence [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

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How To Visit The British Museum in 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

Eddie Saint-Jean Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Interested in exploring two million years of human history and culture in one place? You’re not alone. The British Museum is the UK’s top attraction and draws huge numbers of visitors, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for your visit. In this guide, we share everything you need to know about how to visit the British Museum from hours to tours, what to see, and a brief history. 

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to London  for more planning resources, our  top London tours  for a memorable trip, and the  top things to do in London .

Visiting the British Museum: What We’ll Cover

The British Museum is the world’s first public national museum with free admission. Founded in 1753, the museum houses an astonishing eight million artefacts in over 60 galleries spanning two million years of history from six continents.

It is the UK’s most popular attraction, welcoming 5.9 million visitors. If you’re planning to visit, it’s a great idea to be prepared. In this guide, find out what you need to know to visit the British Museum. here’s what we’ll cover:

• Opening hours and tickets
• How much time to budget for your visit
• What to see in the British Museum
• Guided tour options
• Facts and history of the British Museum
• Places to eat nearby

British Museum Opening Hours and Tickets

Opening Hours:

The museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. On Fridays, it stays open until 8.30 pm. 

A booked time slot will get you guaranteed entry. As mentioned before, it is the UK’s top attraction and has a massive amount of visitors. So, despite this neoclassical building’s vast size, booking a ticket removes the admission hassle.

It’s free to visit the British Museum, but there are also priced special exhibitions. Throughout the year, the museum presents fascinating special exhibitions, which they feel will be popular with visitors. For example, “Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt” is on until February 2023 and tickets cost £18 for Adults.

Address: Great Russell St.

How Long To Spend in the British Museum

Short answer: 3 hours 

The museum is a huge building and has a total collection of around eight million artefacts (obviously not all on display). However, you could budget for 2 hours if you already have a general idea of which exhibits you want to see.

But, in truth, 3 hours will enable you to absorb a considerable amount of the museum’s content just by wandering around. If you have a short break after your first 1.5 hours, you’ll be refreshed and energized for the rest of your visit.

That said, you could easily spend a whole day seeing all of the museum’s items and exhibits. The advice we have given takes into account the practicalities of spending 6-8 hours in a museum. So, it all depends on how much you want to see and how much time you have.

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Not ready to book a tour? Find out if London tours are worth it .

What To See in the British Museum

The British Museum’s collection spans two million years of history across six continents. To say there’s a lot to see in this massive museum would be an understatement.

There are more than 60 galleries exhibiting items like the Rosetta Stone, one of the most visited objects in the museum, and the Sutton Hoo Helmet. It may be difficult to decide which to see. Here are our recommendations on what to see when you visit the British Museum. For more in-depth descriptions, history, and images, check out our article on the top things to see .

• The Younger Memnon (Room 4 – Egypt)
• Oxus Treasure (Room 52 – Ancient Iran)
• Kakiemon Elephant (Room 92-94 – Japan)
• Mechanical Galleon (Room 39 – Clocks and Watches)
• Lewis Chessmen (Room 40 – Medieval Europe, 1050–1500)
• Royal Game Of Ur (Room 56 – Mesopotamia, 6000–1500 B.C.)
• Aztec Serpent (Room 27 – Mexico: 2000 B.C. – A.D. 1521)
• Ife Head (Room 25 – Africa)
• Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs (Room 10 – Assyria)
• Sutton Hoo Ship Burial (Room 41 – Europe, A.D. 300–1100)
• The Rosetta Stone (Room 4 – Egypt)

In addition to the galleries you’ll see above, you’ll also enjoy these rooms:

• The Parthenon Sculptures (Rooms 18a and 18b)
• Egypt/The Rosetta Stone (Rooms 4, 61-66)
• The Roman Empire (Room 70)
• Assyria (Rooms 6-10)  
• Ancient Greece/Alexander the Great (Rooms 12-23)
• China and South Asia (Room 33) 
• The Islamic World (Rooms 42-43)

British Museum Tour Options

If you’re planning a trip to the British Museum, you should perhaps look beyond this brief guide and consider our more in-depth guided tours. An expert guide will present the histories of the world and its earliest civilizations in an easily understood way.

We have already mentioned how it can take 3 hours to see the exhibits on your own but more likely 6-8 hours to see everything. A knowledgeable guide will remove the stress of you having to work out what to see and where. And they’ll cover the exhibits in a more reasonable time so that you have an interesting and memorable visit. 

British Museum Tours and Audio Guides

The British Museum offers a few different guided tours from their free 40-minute Eye-opener tour to their Around the world in 90 minutes tour covering the museum’s highlights for £14 per person. Check the official website for booking details.

They also offer a variety of themed audio guides in their app for anyone interested in doing a self-guided tour of the museum. You can purchase the full bundle per language for £4.99 (introductory offer) or themed tours per language for £1.99–£2.99

Not ready to book a tour? Check out the best London tours to take and why .

Facts and History of the British Museum 

• Founded in 1753, it’s the world’s first national public museum with free admission for all.
• The museum has over eight million artifacts in its collection 
• The collection spans two million years. 
• In recent years, it has competed with the Tate Modern as the UK’s most popular visitor attraction. But now it is the most popular, with 5.9 million visitors.
• Egyptian exhibits are amongst the most popular. The Tutankhamen Exhibition of 1972 drew record attendance. However, the Rosetta Stone, another Egyptian artefact, has proved the most popular over the centuries. 
• In the Japanese Galleries, you’ll find a full-size replica of a traditional Japanese tea house
• The Parthenon Marbles are a popular attraction today but also proved to be a hit with prominent individuals in centuries past. Mozart visited in the 1760s and 19th-century Romantic poets Lord Byron and John Keats wrote poems about it after visiting.

Places To Eat Nearby

We’ve listed the museum’s restaurant below, but there’s also the Court Café, the Montague Café, and a pizzeria inside the museum. Also, there are other options not too far beyond the museum gates, in case you are seeking more inspired dining. For more options, see our article on the best restaurants near the British Museum .

Great Court Restaurant : ££ | Afternoon Tea —For a distinctly English treat, you can enjoy afternoon cream teas or other beverages. But there are also two and three-course lunches. However, if you’re looking for something lighter, they have sandwiches, snacks, and pastries. 

Hakkasan : ££££ | Cantonese Restaurant —This Michelin-star restaurant is a worthy treat if you want to complete your museum visit with a little pampering. Dishes such as Dim Sum and Hakkasan stir-fries are on the menu. 

Zeo’s London : ££ | Mediterranean Cuisine —Quality food at a reasonable price. The restaurant has a light, airy feel and a bit of a buzz about it. Mediterranean cuisine is not tied to one nation and includes dishes such as lamb shank and also pan-fried salmon. 

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British Museum Tour | Semi-Private Experience

What to expect

With an expert guide and small groups under six, Livtours  British Museum Tour  is a personal and fascinating way to see the highlights of this incredible and extensive collection. Avoid wandering through the gigantic collection of over 8,000 as your local expert guides you across the galleries bringing to life each era and its most famous artifacts. Opened in 1756 The British Museum is not only older than many counties but contains some of the oldest artifacts in the world, it is home to one of the most extensive and comprehensive collections on earth, as The British Empire expanded as did the Museum. 

Yet trying to maximize your time and experiencing such a vast collection to its full is a difficult task for many visitors. By taking a semi-private guided tour the stories, histories, and importance of these world-famous artifacts are made more accessible with the entertaining and gripping stories your guide will provide, from the incredible and controversial Elgin Marbles to the groundbreaking Rosetta stone, that allowed historians to understand hieroglyphics for the first time. Discover, uncover, and adventure through time across all four corners of the world on your 2-hour tour of all the best the British Museum has to offer. 

Why book this tour

• Discover the fascinating stories of more than 4000 years of history with expert guide
• Experience the British Museum in comfort with small groups under 6 people
• Maximixe your time in one of the worlds largest museums with our 2 hour highlights
• Marvel and magnificent objects of old from Egyption Mummies to Ancient Marbles
• Uncover the lesser known stories behind the most famous objects in the world
• Witness over 4000 years of human history on your Semi-Private British Museum

Semi-Private tours and experiences are guaranteed six participants max.

Our prices always include tickets and reservations fees (no waiting in lines!)

Our tour guides and staff are selected experts and speak perfect English

Easy to book and prepay your tours with our secure payment system

Eco-sustainable tourism, designed to respect and support local culture, art and traditions

Tour gallery

Read more about your British Museum tour

Your Livtours  Semi-Private   British Museum Tour  takes you on a journey inside one of the most prestigious museums in the world. Opened in fashionable Bloomsbury ( the original location was supposed to be Buckingham House, now a palace of the Queen) The British Museum is more than just a collection of antiques; it is a visual interaction with the world of the past, a museum that can transport you to any century anywhere. 

From India, China, and Egypt to Greece, you will explore the greatest achievements of mankind through the art, artifacts, and objects they have left behind. Beginning as a small private collection, developing into the national library and natural history museum the British Museum has grown and grown until the division of institutions. Today the sight displays the greatest and most important artifacts and objects of the entire national collection. With an expert guide by your side and groups of no more than six, benefit from engaging with your guide, questioning and discussing some of the most iconic artifacts from history. 

Marvel at the world-famous Elgin Marbles built to honor the goddess Athena or stand in front of the Rosetta stone, a tablet written in ancient Greek and Egyptian Hieroglyphics allowing linguists to understand the illusive ancient symbols for the first time. contemplate the determination and tenacity of previous explorers, archaeologists, and historians who cracked codes, unraveled mysteries, and revealed the secrets of the past*. 

With the museum’s unusual art effects and your guide’s wonderful storytelling they will ensure that two hours is the perfect amount of time to unpack the fascinating histories behind the world’s treasures from Egyptian mummies to Anglo-Saxon weapons, your guide will focus on the must-see objects as well as answering any questions you may have on the collections. Put the pieces in place on a timeline of world history and leave feeling educated in history, art, and the culture of the world.

This Tour Includes

• Enlightenment Gallery
• Easter Island head
• Aztec and Mayan collection
• Sutton Hoo ship burial
• Medieval Europe collection
• Ancient Egypt & mummies
• Roman Britain collection
• Portland vase
• Ancient Rome collection
• Money Gallery
• Ancient Greece collection
• The Rosetta Stone
• Assyrian collection
• Parthenon Marbles
• Fully guided experience

Our Sustainable Tourism Promise

LivTours’ group size of max 6 participants is and always has been based on sustainable travel, and we are proud to be at the forefront of change and innovation in the industry.   LivTours is committed to providing travelers with truly sustainable tours with the lowest possible environmental impact, all while supporting the local industries and people of each unique destination. To learn more about how you can actively support sustainable tourism  and how LivTours is contributing, click here .

About our Semi-Private tours

All LivTours Semi-Private Group Tours are limited to 6 guests per tour guide. Our commitment to maintaining our uniquely tiny group sizes can sometimes be a little tricky, mathematically speaking. For example, we want to ensure that traveling families and friends can tour together so on rare occasions we may add one or two guests in order to not split groups. On that same note, you may also find yourself on tour with less than six people! We thank you for your understanding and flexibility .

Excellent in every way

We got so much more out of the museum thanks to this tour. Our guide was Thomas and he was very knowledgeable and friendly. Our group consisted of just 6 of us so easy to become friendly and to interact with the guide. He answered all of our questions and then some! Couldn't have asked for more.

We recommend this company!

This company promises small groups of no more than 6 and that's exactly what we had for our tour of the British Museum. Their guide, Jessica, was also really good: really knew the museum collections and was very passionate about the history behind all that we were seeing. Her enthusiasm was contagious and she had us hanging on her every word right up until the tour ended. She spent extra time with us too to make recommendations of other places to see and where to eat. We received excellent service before, during and after the tour. This is really a great tour company!

Great museum tour

We were in a group of 5 people total with an awesome guide named Jessica. She's an art historian and so knowledgeable about all the pieces that are in the museum. We appreciated having such an expert helping us see everything and giving us hints and insights. She set just the right pace and was very attentive to everyone's interests and needs. We were very pleased with this tour and will tell everyone about it.

The best experience

We booked the small group British Museum tour with LivTours and were very happy with our choice. The company is very reliable, the office staff very accommodating and friendly and our guide for the museum tour was absolutely the BEST!! We were with 4 other people so truly a small group (as advertised) which made it so much more enjoyable. We saw people wondering around in the larger groups with the headsets and felt so sorry for them. Our tour was a million times better! Good job LivTours! We will recommend to all.

This was one of the best museum experiences I have ever had! Yes, the museum is awesome but it was all made so much better by our LivTour guide, Thomas. He was thorough and well prepared but also a delightful person, warm, friendly and very funny. Thanks Thomas and thanks LivTour for an unforgettable experience!

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By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here .

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British Museum Out-of-hours tour

I’ll be in London for a week this June and I’m working on my itinerary. It will be my third trip and I’d like to visit the British Museum. I saw on the website that they offer a small group tour for £33 an hour before the museum opens. Would love to hear from those of you who have taken the tour. Thanks :)

I have not done that early tour but I have done a number of the free tours during regular hours. Their docents are excellent. I often recommend those to others.

I haven't taken the tour, but the ground floor (especially) of the British Museum is really packed most of the time, to the point that you cannot move around it very rapidly and may have trouble getting close enough to relatively small objects (like the Rosetta Stone) to see them. A before-opening tour sounds like a brilliant idea to me. It will allow you to see a lot more than would otherwise be possible in a fixed amount of time. The upper floor is usually a lot more sane, so spend any remaining after the tour ends and before the rest of the world descends on the ground floor. When the ground floor becomes problematic, head upstairs.

Laurie Ann and acraven - thanks for your responses. I really like the idea of seeing some of the museum without all of the crowds. Unfortunately, they don't offer the Out-of-hours tours everyday so I'll need see what works with my schedule.

Sounds like a great option. I think London Walks www.walks.com does a British Museum tour as well. Yours sounds better.

I will say after decades of London visits I do try to take a London Walk each visit. Last one in 2022 was Inns of the Court.

Always find the walks informative and well run. Simply an FYI if you are interested.

Have a great time in my favorite city on the planet.

Lots to see and explore.

I've taken the London Walks tour of the British Museum. They do the best they can; it's obviously helpful to have a guide who knows exactly where everything is, and tour groups have very little, if any, wait in the security line. But even London Walks can't do anything about the crowding in the Museum.

Like others I have not done this one and truthfully didn't know they had an out of hours tour. I would definitely do it and yes, I'd love an update after you have done it, lol! Last spring when I visited I got in at opening time and zoomed directly to the Rosetta Stone so saw it with just 1-deep crowds around it instead of 5-deep. I'm going to remember this for a next visit as well!

I did one and would do it again. I originally signed up for an upstairs Egypt one but it was cancelled and I moved to one downstairs on the history of the museum. The tour was quite interesting, but the benefit of being downstairs is that you can then head immediately to the Rosetta Stone and really have time to see it while the museum opens and crowds come in. I can’t remember if they have one on the Assyrian exhibits, but that would be a good choice since it’s more unknown (to me anyway) than ancient Egypt.

Thanks everyone, I’m looking into the Intro to Egypt tour that focuses on Room 4. I believe that’s the same room that the Rosetta Stone is in. I would really like to see it up close.

Claudia, thanks for the tip about London Walks. I’ve taken two tours, Harry Potter and the Hampstead Heath. Both were great and I’m considering the Kensington and Little Venice tours for June.

I’m terrible about writing trip reports, but I’ll report back if I take the out of hours tour.

Oh yes, Room 4 would be excellent! And that IS where the Rosetta Stone is located.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/visit/museum-map

If you have time after the tour and are not pooped, head upstairs to Room 40 for the adorable Lewis Chessmen and Room 41 for the fabulous Sutton Hoo Collection with the awesome helmet.

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Cavalry Museum, Out of Hours Tour

• Private car/minibus

This tour is available in most languages. Select your language on checkout.

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About The Tour

Indulge in an exclusive private tour of the Household Cavalry Museum, taking place outside regular hours and away from the crowds.

Starting on the nation's official parade ground, your guide will tailor this private tour for you, providing insights into the 24/7 duty of safeguarding the King both at home and abroad.

Explore the working 18th-century stables through the Museum's Gallery window and have the opportunity to don authentic uniforms. Witness the King's mounted bodyguard in action during their 'public duties' and uncover the secrets behind the grandeur and ceremonial traditions. This is a unique British experience like no other.

Our tour guide, Richard, was fabulous ... a wealth of knowledge who presented historical information with so much fun and animation that my kids commented he would make a great history teacher!

Why choose us.

Because you insist on the longest-established and most experienced service available in Britain. Founded in 1958, British Tours is still under the same management. About Us

Who is your Guide?

Our guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, special interests, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central London location and guide you inside places of historic importance

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Out of Hours Dino Tours

Make the most of your visit

Explore the Dinosaurs gallery before it opens to the public on one of our special guided tours.

09.00-10.00

Adult :  £25,  Members : £22.50

Child :  £17,  Members : £15.30

Have you ever wondered what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, what they really looked like and why we continue to study them today?

Book a Dinotour with one of our knowledgeable tour guides to get up close and personal with all the main characters in our world-famous Dinosaurs gallery .

Your guide will meet you at the Museum's Exhibition Road entrance then take you to the Dinosaurs gallery before our doors open to the public. You'll get to journey through time and learn how dinosaurs were first discovered, how they adapted to life on Earth and why they're so important to our science today.

Highlights include a dinosaur with a chewing mechanism unlike anything seen in animals today, a shocking avian revelation and the reason sauropods didn't fight each other for food.

You will have a chance to ask all your pressing dinosaur questions at the end of the tour.

In line with the level of the content, the recommended minimum age for this event is 11 years and up.

Find out about the security measures we have in place .

Events dates and times

25 April                    09.00–10.00

3 May                      09.00–10.00

12 May                    09.00–10.00

17 May                    09.00–10.00

24 May                    09.00–10.00

2 June                     09.00–10.00

13 June                   09.00–10.00

14 June                   09.00–10.00

23 June                   09.00–10.00

Important information

Visitors must bring an electronic or printed copy of their ticket.

All Out-of-hours Dinotour tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

You will be met by your guide at 8.45 for the 9.00 tour. Please check your pre-event email for your allocated arrival entrance.

The event will begin promptly, and we are unable to admit latecomers joining after the event has started. No refunds or exchanges will be given to latecomers after the event has started.

The Museum cannot guarantee exclusive access before the Museum opens to the public.

Your Dinotour ticket includes free entry to the rest of the Museum, which you're free to explore after the tour ends at 10.00.

In line with other tours, and due to the level of the content, the recommended minimum age for this event is 11 years and up.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. We are unable to accommodate additional guests on the day.

A free ticket for a carer accompanying a guest with a disability can be requested on +44 (0)20 7942 5000, Monday to Friday, 9.30-17.30, subject to availability.

This event is wheelchair accessible.

There will be no cloakroom available. Please keep belongings to a minimum.

There is no seating available on the tour route.

The Museum reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the event as required, such as adjusting the locations, timings or content of the activities. This is to ensure that we deliver a safe experience for guests at all times.

Ticket prices are subject to change.

Got a question? Call us on +44 (0)20 7942 5000, Monday to Friday, 9.30-17.30 or  email us .

Discount Member tickets

Members can purchase discount tickets for this event. Please bring your membership card with you to the event. Not a Member?

Join today from just £62 per year.

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