There is a world of culture all under one roof, in a special place in London. That place is the British Museum and it was established in 1753, making it two hundred and sixty years old. Based mainly on the collections of Sir Hans Sloane—for which Sloane Square is named—the museum is a focal point for hundreds of thousands of visitors to the English capital every year. The first museum actually opened in 1759 to the public and was in Bloomsbury, London, on the exact site where the now huge and famous building sits. The museum is home to a range of artifacts and historical items, none being more famous than the Elgin Marbles, which some believe should be taken back to the Parthenon and given back to their original homeland of Greece. However, while they stay at the hotels near British Museum they are a constant source of fascination and a major drawer of crowds.
The Round Reading Room used to house the British Library, where until 1997 it was the only establishment to house both a library and an antiquities museum. When the British Library relocated the area was designated to other cultural fascinations and now incorporates the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court. Most of the outside of the building could be classed as an artifact in itself. The Greek Revival style front façade faces the well-known Great Russell Street and was designed by Sir Robert Smirke. It contains forty-four columns, and includes sculptures designed and installed in 1852 by Sir Richard Westmacott, showing the ‘progress of civilization’.
Visitors to the museum will experience a day to remember as they stroll the Egyptian and Sudan galleries, including the granite statue of Amenhotep III, circa 1350BC. There is also a department dedicated to the Greeks and Romans, including artifacts from the Roman and Greek Empire, along with information and sculptures. The Middle East department depicts the Near East from ancient times, and collections from Mesopotamia, Iraq, Syria, Sumerian, and Babylonian artifacts.
Once visitors stroll through history they can also visit the prints and drawings from a whole range of centuries, from Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rubens, Claude, Rembrandt and many other famous artists from across the years. For people who are visiting London and which to find hotels near the British Museum, they should check the local listings for the Bloomsbury or Great Russell Street area. Most hotel in that vicinity are located within a ten or fifteen minute walking distance at the very most. There are many buses that can drop visitors straight outside the museum and there are taxis available for those who wish to ride instead of walk. Even if the famous London weather doesn’t hold out, you can still guarantee a great day in the city.
