Admission and opening times

Free, open daily 10.00–17.30

The Museum is open daily except for 1 January and 24, 25, 26 December

Gallery opening times

Museum galleries are open daily 10.00–17.30, and most are open until 20.30 on Fridays. Closing starts from 17.20 (20.20 on Fridays).
Galleries open late Fridays 

Temporary gallery closures

Some galleries are closed for maintenance or long-term refurbishment. 
All planned gallery closures 

Fridays open late

The Museum is open until 20.30 on Fridays, except Good Friday (29 March 2013).
Friday lates programme 

Great Court opening times

The Great Court, including Information and Ticket Desks, is open daily 09.00–18.00 and until 20.30 on Fridays.

  • Great Court by day
  • British Museum by night

British Museum by day and night

 

Facilities opening times

Cafés and restaurant

Court Restaurant

Lunch
Afternoon tea
Dinner, Fridays only

12.00–15.00
15.00–17.30
17.30–20.00

Court Cafés

Saturday – Thursday
Friday

09.00–17.30
09.00–20.00

Gallery Café

Daily

11.00–17.00

Museum shops

Bookshop

Monday–Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

10.00–17.30
10.00–20.00
10.30–17.30
10.00–17.30

Family shop

Monday–Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

09.30–18.00
09.30–18.00
09.30–17.30
10.00–17.30

Collections shop

Monday–Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

09.30–17.30
09.30–20.00
09.30–17.30
10.00–17.30

Culture shop

Monday–Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

09.30–17.30
09.30–20.00
09.30–17.30
10.00–17.30


We regret that it may be necessary, for example in the interests of security or public safety, for us to alter the Museum’s opening hours or close specific areas of the Museum at any time, and without prior notice.