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.

• You'll need to purchase a ticket 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.
• Please note tickets are non-refundable.

• 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:

Saturday night

• 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

Sunday morning

• 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 by your group leader to leave all food items in a designated area in the Great Court.
• 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.

• The sleepover will be held at full capacity without social distancing measures in place.
• Face coverings are recommended for the protection of yourself and others unless you're exempt or in your sleeping area.
• Hand sanitiser stations and additional cleaning measures will be in place throughout the evening.
• Equipment will be shared between visitors across some activities. Sanitiser will be available to clean shared equipment. If you'd prefer to bring your own, please contact the Young Friends team to find out what you will need to bring.
• Please do not visit the Museum if you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms.