Just simply one of the most magnificent museums in the world, containing more than 7 million artifacts, this showcase of the past is now FREE. Hail Britannia! London visitors can now schedule at least two visits to this treasure trove, instead of frustrating themselves attempting to see all its highlights in one. Since most school tours seem to occur mornings, you can visit two afternoons. For our son, the Elgin Marbles captured his attention first, as he had experienced with us the Acropolis on our first European trip. Pressure by the Greeks to have them returned to Athens will continue, especially for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, but, personally, I think the much-maligned Elgin did civilization a great favor in removing them when the Turks were so ignorant about the peerless Acropolis that they used it as a gunpowder site. He even lost money when he sold them to the Museum. The marbles gleam, their artistry strikes the viewer with awe at living representations so vivid as to seem ready to move before you.

When we visited this museum in 1996, I saw one schoolchild touch the Rosetta Stone, which I was astonished to see out in the open surrounded only by ropes that indicated limits kids often don’t see. I shall never forget the gentle tone of the museum guide who told her that she should not touch the stone because it was "very old," and "the only one we have." Now, the Rosetta, the all-important key that led to the understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphics, is appropriately encased.

Our son’s description of the now open area that used to be the Reading Room that was available only to scholars like Karl Marx made me long to dash off for a re-visit, but it was our last day in London. This two-acre area, known as The Great Court, now the continent’s largest covered public space, was an expensive (a million and a half pounds) conversion, but adds to the democratic ambiance that this museum exuded to me in 1996.

Since this renovation, the superb collection of manuscripts is now housed separately, in its own controversial building at 96 Euston Road, NW1 (British Library). Removal of their Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s first folio, and other treasures, allowed space for this museum to develop multimedia capabilities that have opened up to Internet users virtual displays of its precious possessions, so you can plan visits. Special exhibitions cost around $8 for adults and about $5.50 for seniors, students, and children under 16. Where else could you see the Portland Vase, the Sutton Hoo hoard, a multitude of mummies, and the Halicarnassus sculptures -- just a few unique artifacts that space limits only allow me to mention? As the Museum is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, special events and exhibits highlight its calendar.

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-6pm.
Tube : Holborn, Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road.
Visit their terrific website.

The British Museum is one of those places to visit when you come to London.

Admission is free to all, but there may be a charge for temporary exhibits. View the events calendar or exhibits calendar or call the Information Desk on +44 (0207) 323 8299.

Be sure to visit the round Reading Room, a huge circular reading room with bookcase-lined walls. There's Internet access in the main seating area.

We concluded our visit of the museum with a visit to the Court Restaurant. The service and food were excellent for our visit, and hardly any other customers were there late in the evening.

Opening Hours Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 5:30pm, Thursday to Friday 10am to 8:30pm.

Underground stations: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, and Goodge St.
Bus routes
New Oxford Street: nos. 7, 8, 19, 22b, 25, 38, 55, 98

Tottenham Court Road northbound and Gower Street southbound: nos. 10, 24, 29, 73, 134
Southampton Row: nos. 68, 91, 188.

This museum is grand yet inviting. I would highly suggest taking the Highlight Tour (£8 per adult) for an in-depth tour of the museum. Otherwise, it can be very confusing. Overall, the best museum I have been to.

After trying not to trip over the tourists crowding around the rosetta stone or biding our time looking at the Assyrians hunting down the last of the native lion population in the Middle East, it was finally time to enter the Agatha Christie archaeology special exhibit according to our timed tickets. While the rest of the museum is free to the public (donations requested), the special exhibits, which last only a few months, have ticket prices for 7 or 8 pounds for students and more for adults.

Although the exhibit is "temporary," this is not obvious from the entrance (nor the entire exhibit) given the high quality of the presentation. The exhibit combines artifacts with a variety of other media including, photographs, text from journal entries or news clipping, and film/video where available.

The Agatha Christie archaelogy exhibit was organized chronologically beginning with her first trip to the Middle East and ending with the death of her and her archeologist (2nd) husband. The exhibit begins with actual film advertisement for the Orient Express and some of Christie's luggage that she took with her. I hadn't realized before how long it took people to travel just 50+ years ago. I flew to Venice in 1.5 hours from London, but it took her several weeks(!) on the train to get there. Then it's another long trip to get from Venice to Cairo to other interesting places in Mesopotamia.

After that eye-opener, the story progressed with artifacts from mesopotamia, pictures, journal entries, photos, home video of her at the archaeological sites. Because of her fame already as a detective novelist, Christie was invited by the wife of the head archaeologist, a big fan, to visit the site. This is where Christie met her 2nd husband and how her archaeological journies continued. For fans of her books, they even trace the history and origins of several of her books that were written while she was there.

Where this special exhibit excelled, and I assume others do as well, was bringing to life a whole other side of a what we thought to be a well known subject. Using their excellent research abilities, and huge collections of artifacts, the curators of this exhibit took us to a different time and place making the familiar unfamiliar and the unfamiliar familiar. The exhibit took about 2 hours to go through (at least) and our only complaint was sore feet. A wheel chair would be great as the whole exhibit is quite accessible. Reservations (can be done over the web--be sure to bring the print out receipt!!!! or they won't give you the tickets--huge glitch in the system) are highly recommended. Many people avoid the exhibit for the cost, but in this case if you have the time to go, book ahead and enjoy--the special exhibits are definitely worth it.

Special note: This particular exhibit is over now, but check out the website to see what the current special exhibit is.

Walk in through the main entrance at Great Russell Street to the glass covered Great Court and spend a moment marvelling at the wonderful view. It's even better at night, with the court empty of people and the night sky beyond the glass.

This majestic place can't be seen in just one day, so try taking a highlights audio tour, which will take you around the whole museum in a bit more than an hour. It costs $3.50 when I did it, and was enjoyable even if some of the artifacts were hard to find. After you're done, you can go back to revisit the spots that fascinated you most.

Their website is chock full of essential information. It's a great planning tool before you go. Peruse the site here.