Sleepovers

If the answer to your question can't be found in our FAQs please email the Membership office at friends@britishmuseum.org and we'll aim to respond within five working days or sooner.

• The best way to purchase tickets is online.
• If you have a Young Friend Membership already, you'll be asked to give your Membership number in order to receive the discounted Membership ticket price.
• If you've only just bought Young Friends Membership and your card hasn't yet arrived, then you can call the Membership Office on +44 (0)20 7323 8195 to book your tickets.
• If you wish to buy a public ticket, simply click on one of the links above.

• Sleepovers are for 8–15 year olds only.
• Children under 8 are not permitted to attend.
• If your child, or any child you're bringing, appears younger than 8 years of age, please bring a proof of age to ensure that they are not refused entry.
• Where possible, children will be grouped according to age.
• Siblings will be grouped together unless otherwise requested by their parents/guardians.

• Each adult can be accompanied by up to four children.
• If you have two or more adults accompanying a larger group, each set of five tickets must be purchased separately, but you can let us know that you wish to be in the same group by emailing friends@britishmuseum.org.
• Please note children can't attend without an adult present.

• We'll need the child’s legal guardian to fill in a consent form which will be sent with the booking confirmation.
• The child's legal guardian will need to complete this in advance of the event.

• You and the attendees within your party will be placed in an assigned sleeping area in the Egyptian sculpture and Assyrian galleries on the ground floor.
• Team leaders will be stationed at entrances/exits to provide assistance.

• You can enter the Museum using the front gates on Great Russell Street.
• The Museum closes to the public from 17.30 and re-opens for the sleepover event at 18.00.
• Please bring your booking confirmation with you on the night.
• Before the sleepover starts you will be asked to queue in the Great Court.
• At 18.15 you'll be registered and placed into a group where you'll meet your group leader and see where you'll be sleeping.
• Attendees will remain in these groups throughout the evening.

A typical sleepover includes:

• 18.15 Registration – meet your group leader, choose a sleeping spot in the allocated gallery
• 19.00 Introductory talk including health and safety information
• 19.20 First activity
• 20.15 Second activity
• 21.00 Snack break
• 21.50 Third activity
• 22.45 Fourth activity
• 23.30 Activities end
• Midnight – lights out
• 07.00 Breakfast, pack up sleeping area
• 07.45 Farewell activity (exhibition-based)
• 08.15 Visit to the children’s shop
• 09.00 Bag collection and home time
• Download a sample itinerary

Adults are responsible for their party at all times throughout the night. This will ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening. An adult must be present at each activity and accompany the children at all times. 

• You'll need a sleeping bag, ground mat and pillow.
• We're not able to provide any sleeping materials.
• For health and safety reasons, we can't allow any motorised blow-up mattresses or other mattresses which would require electricity to inflate. 
• It's recommended that you also bring a torch, toothbrush, ear plugs (the sleeping area is communal, so if you're a light sleeper you may find these beneficial) and an eye mask, as some lights will be left on in the galleries.
• You'll need to bring clothing to sleep in, for example, a tracksuit (NOT pyjamas or other nightwear – this is in case of an emergency and we have to quickly evacuate the building).
• Changing in the galleries isn't permitted due to it being a communal area.
• The galleries can be cold, so please dress appropriately – we encourage you to bring layers.
• Food won't be provided until breakfast, so you'll probably need snacks and refreshments to keep you going at the snack break time.
• There will be tea/coffee for adults during the snack break at 21.00.
• Please be aware that food is no longer permitted in gallery spaces and sleeping areas.
• When you arrive for the event, you'll be asked to leave all food items in a sealed bag (we'll provide this) with your group leader.
• These will then be moved to the Great Court until break time.
• Only bottled water can be taken into the gallery spaces and sleeping areas.
• You won't be able to use electrical items that require a plug and we strongly recommend you don't bring items with you that are of financial or sentimental value.

• The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden at sleepovers.
• Anyone suspected of consuming alcohol during the event will be asked to leave the event immediately.

• If your child has a food allergy or any access requirements, please inform us at the time of your booking by emailing friends@britishmuseum.org.
• We can't guarantee that the food provided at breakfast will be nut, dairy or gluten-free.
• If someone in your party has particular food requirements please bring something with you for their breakfast.