British Museum

I'm going to London for the first time next week. What should I look for at the British Museum?

What else would be on your "Don't miss" list in London?

V&A's worth a look too; all the nationals are, tbh, though if you want to do any of them justice you need to set a day aside for each. The London Museum (which is technically a regional museum, the London Council fund it to make it free so it can compete with the nationals) is really well done as well.

I like the Babylonian and Phoenician stuff in the British Museum - it's an era I don't know much about - and then following that floor around with all the Greek and Roman too.

Have you heard the History of the World in 100 Objects podcast? http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/ It's 100 objects from the British Museum (the website allows other museums to contribute too, so it's broader). Could be a good place to start to decide what your must see items are.

A book of the History of the World in 100 Objects has been published as well, it would be a really interesting alternative to a standard guide for the British Museum, very good idea MinaKelly! And the V&A is a must.

If you're thinking of going to any art galleries I would suggest the National Gallery is the best. Since everything was shuffled around I think Tate Britain is a bit limited (except for all the wonderful Turners). Obviously if you like modern art (sour face) then you could go to Tate Modern.

But, apparently there's currently some kind of exhibition about the Pompeii thingy going on at the Brits. That might possibly be interesting. However, they do warn you really should make reservations.

Beyond that: Parthenon friezes (aka Elgin Marbles) and the Rosetta stone. (Not that I personally think either of those are the bee's knees, but both have monumental historic importance in their own way, and they happen to be there).

Thanks guys. As a history and art lover, so far I've got The British Museum (primarily Mesopotamia, Mediterranean and China) and the National Gallery ; the Tate primarily for the Turners; the Courtauld Gallery for the impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Then the Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, some of the parks, and finally the book stores!

Let me know if there is something essential I've missed that can't wait until next time, whenever that may be...

I've heard I should stick to Indian and Asian restaurants...

I've got tickets to the Pompeii thing. Can't wait! It's interesting that these days special exhibitions at nearly all the nationals are 'book in advance' /'queue for an hour on the door'. I think it's a post Tutankhamun exhibition thing (that's the first one I can remember making the news for being so popular), but at least you're always guaranteed they're worth making the effort for.

(we had to join the queue for the David Bowie exhibition at the V&A before the museum opened a few months ago, and still had an hour and a half wait. Absolutely worth it!)

>5 stellarexplorer: If you've time for one slightly less well-known destination, you should consider the Sir John Soane Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields - it is unique, and should appeal to any antiquarian.

Yes, absolutely go to the John Soanes Museum I can't believe I forgot that!

Also if you are planning on visiting some parks I would suggest you include Highgate Cemetery in that. I know it's not technically a park but it is so beautiful and would I suspect appeal to anyone with a historical interest.

Have to suggest London theater. Not sure where you're coming from, but I'm in the U.S. and New York prices are prohibitive. There is a half-price kiosk and prices are generally in the $25 range versus $100 in Manhattan. If you're like us, there is always the question of what to do in the evenings except have dinner, and theatre is a great option. We even enjoyed standing up at The Globe for Shakespeare (tho I'd recommend spending a bit more for a seat).

Chutney Mary's recommended for Indian. A bit upscale and fancy, but worth it, IMHO.

Also check out the flea markets online. Good place to find souvenirs that aren't made in China.

Thanks guys. Great suggestions! What's the general dress code for theater and an average but not especially fancy dinner?

We were at the BM earlier this year and one thing you have to look out for are the gallery closures, we missed out on an area my son had been looking forward to.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting/admission_and_opening_times/gallery_closur...

We loved the Churchill War Rooms though be warned that it soaks up a lot of time, there is really a lot to see there.
Also think about visiting the Temple Church.

Currently watching a TV series About KEW Gardens

In the BM I love Mesopotamia and Egypt, and the Medieval collection. But don't skip the King's Library (on the right side of the building) for a wonderful old style exhibition. If you love old books too, also check out the King's Library in the British Library (also free) and their temporary exhibition. The V&A is brilliant, and the London Museum (talked about above) is very good too. John Soane is fun, but the line can be long. The Hunterian is good for natural history (old style, The Natural History is good too of course).

For bookshops, I love Foyles in Charing Cross Road, and always go to Blackwells across the road when I am there. But the Waterstones at Piccadilly is heaven, while the Waterstones at Gower street is academic heaven. I am also a SF/Fantasy/Horror lover, so Forbidden Planet is always a stop for me too. I was disappointed by the South Bank Book Market, and never find much in the many second-hand bookshops in Charing Cross Road.

ETA, we just visited Kew Gardens, and that place is fantastic!

Lindow Man (a bog body) is in the BM. I like the Fishpool hoard- biggest find of gold coin hoard in the UK (found near Nottingham Forest but not believed to belong to Robin Hood!).
The Transport museum in the corner of Covent Garden is nice and that's a lovely area to mooch round for a coffee. Science museum, Natural History and V+A are all clumped together plus you can go up and sit in Hyde Park for a picnic.

I was in London a few years ago and didn't get past the Elgin Marbles at the BM. I also spent a certain amount of time staring at the Assyrian bas relief of the lion hunting the horses. The rest of the family left me alone until closing time.

Lindow Man (aka "Pete Moss") is not very impressive in person. Seriously squashed.

The Pompeii and Herculaneum exhibition at the BM is excellent, but all the August advance booking tickets are sold out (which is annoying; I want to go again). They do sell about 500 first-come first-served tickets each day though, with the ticket office opening at 9am. Tickets are for a specific 10 minute entry timeslot, so you can go off and see the rest of the museum while you're waiting for that time to arrive. I went round at a fairly leisurely pace, and spent about 2 1/2 to 3 hours in there. It's worth peeking around the temporary walls of the exhibition as you go too, as all the Reading Room bookcases still seem to be populated, even if they've cleared out the desks in the centre to turn it into an exhibition room.

Science museum, Natural History and V+A are all clumped together plus you can go up and sit in Hyde Park for a picnic.

And if you do, veer slightly to the left when you reach the park, and you can take a look at the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall on the way.

I second the theater suggestion. Also, don't forget your credit card. You'll need it when you visit the BM bookstore!

I'm at the airport!

>18 stellarexplorer: 'm at the airport!

Yay! Enjoy your stay!