The British Museum is widely-regarded as one of the world’s foremost museums of human history and culture, attracting millions of visitors each year and hosting regular blockbuster exhibitions alongside its permanent collections.

The museum first opened its doors in 1759, with its collections steadily built-up on the back of British colonial expansion. Key dates in the history of the museum include 1802, when it took delivery of the Rosetta Stone, 1887, when it took ownership of the Elgin Marbles and, more recently, 1997 when the British Library moved out and 2001 when the much-celebrated re-vamped Great Court was completed.

In all, the British Museum’s permanent collection numbers some eight million objects, though only a fraction of these are on public display. Those that are displayed are housed in ten distinct departments, including the Department of Greece and Rome, the Department of Prehistory and Europe and the popular Department of Ancient Egypt.

The museum is open to visitors seven day a week, with entrance to the permanent exhibitions free. However, entrance fees sometimes apply to temporary exhibitions.

The British Museum opens late on Friday nights, hosts regular talks, lectures and concerts in its Great Court and welcomes school parties and tour groups.