Long read: The British Museum is the big one.The most important museum on the planet, it brims with things of world historical importance. The Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian antiquities and mummies…
The Assyrian lion-hunt reliefs, the Parthenon Sculptures…
The Black Obelisk, the Enlightenment Gallery, 4,500-year-old “Ginger” (the “pre-dynastic” red head!), the Sutton Hoo treasure, the Portland Vase, Roman gold, Celtic gold, ivories and enamels, tiles and pottery, an astonishing display of instruments for measuring time… here is civilisation, manifest. Here the past turns on its pivots to face the 21st century.
The snag is that you can’t see for looking. Both because of the embarrassment of riches and the sheer size of the place (the building covers 13.5 acres – set off in the wrong direction and you have to walk three times too far). Indeed, how you see it is almost as important as what you see. “The best commentary on the revolution of Greek art and the quality of its achievement is…simply to come direct to the Elgin room from the Egyptian and Assyrian ones, as if into an explosion of life, even, as in the frieze, of gaiety.” Which is by way of saying, to see these things with a great guide… well, you’ll never be quite the same again. In short, the secret is to use your time at the British Museum well.
Want another peek? Here’s a Brian tour de force. He’s guiding the Assyrian Lion Hunt. Guiding like this is why he’s the People’s Choice, has people going around chanting, “We want Brian, we want Brian.”
And here’s an interview with Molly
Methinks she’s probably London Walks’ most qualified guide. And that’s saying something.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
BRITISH MUSEUM TOUR – THE PRACTICALS
The British Museum Tour takes place at 2.15 pm, every*Wednesday
The meeting point is just outside the exit of Russell Square Tube.
N.B. The British Museum tour ends, needless to say, in the British Museum, which is very near three Tube stops: Russell Square, Holborn and Tottenham Court Road.
*Except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, British Museum Tour it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the British Museum Tour walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Our guide introduced himself as Simon – “Simple Simon,” he quipped – but an afternoon in his company at the British Museum proved him anything but. After a proper introduction to the Rosetta Stone, he learned that four of the marque galleries he’d planned on taking us to were unexpectedly closed for the day. But the show must go on, and without missing a beat, he brought ancient history to vivid life in a way that only someone with with his depth of knowledge – and passion for sharing it with others – could do. His impromptu and nuanced recitation of Shelley’s Ozymandias under the very gaze of Rameses II was a moment to be remembered. This tour was one of the highlights of our visit to London!
Rated 5 out of 5
John Comrie –
The Museum was very busy today. Simon did a great job in an entertaining manner allowing us all to see more and better appreciate what we did see than would be possible without a guide.
Rated 5 out of 5
Gim –
A great introduction to the British Museum by Simon our guide. Insightful, informative and interesting details.
I made the mistake of programming another event at 5 and had to rush off before the tour ended, so allow plenty of time to explore on your own when the tour ends.
Rated 5 out of 5
John –
Molly was a fund of knowledge, a real enthusiast, and a great person. The British Museum tour made our day. Thank you Molly!
Rated 5 out of 5
Damien –
Molly was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Made me feel sympathetic for that thieving villain Lord Elgin. Well worth starting the British Museum with someone who knows it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Chris –
Good golly to Molly. I am amazed the detail of knowledge, and bringing alive the history around some of the most important exhibits
Kathy & Bob Waste –
Our guide introduced himself as Simon – “Simple Simon,” he quipped – but an afternoon in his company at the British Museum proved him anything but. After a proper introduction to the Rosetta Stone, he learned that four of the marque galleries he’d planned on taking us to were unexpectedly closed for the day. But the show must go on, and without missing a beat, he brought ancient history to vivid life in a way that only someone with with his depth of knowledge – and passion for sharing it with others – could do. His impromptu and nuanced recitation of Shelley’s Ozymandias under the very gaze of Rameses II was a moment to be remembered. This tour was one of the highlights of our visit to London!
John Comrie –
The Museum was very busy today. Simon did a great job in an entertaining manner allowing us all to see more and better appreciate what we did see than would be possible without a guide.
Gim –
A great introduction to the British Museum by Simon our guide. Insightful, informative and interesting details.
I made the mistake of programming another event at 5 and had to rush off before the tour ended, so allow plenty of time to explore on your own when the tour ends.
John –
Molly was a fund of knowledge, a real enthusiast, and a great person. The British Museum tour made our day. Thank you Molly!
Damien –
Molly was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Made me feel sympathetic for that thieving villain Lord Elgin. Well worth starting the British Museum with someone who knows it.
Chris –
Good golly to Molly. I am amazed the detail of knowledge, and bringing alive the history around some of the most important exhibits