Sleepovers

If the answer to your question can't be found in our FAQs, please email the Membership office at friends@britishmuseum.org

• Sleepovers are for 8–15-year-olds only.
• If your child, or any child you're bringing, could appear younger than 8 years old, please bring proof of age to ensure that they are not refused entry.
• Where possible, children will be grouped according to age. Please ensure a consent form is completed for each child attending so they are grouped correctly. 
• Siblings will be grouped together unless otherwise requested by their parents/guardians.

• When available, you’ll need to purchase a ticket online from this page.
• Tickets are non-refundable.

• 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 need to 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.
• Please note that we cannot guarantee which gallery you will sleep in. The Young Friends team may need to change the locations of the sleeping areas to ensure visitor comfort or to accommodate gallery maintenance. 

• The Museum closes to the public from 17.00 and re-opens for the sleepover event at 18.00.
• You can enter the Museum using the Main entrance on Great Russell Street.
• 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 (gallery or 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. 

Sleeping equipment

• You'll need a sleeping bag, ground mat and pillow.
• We're not able to provide any sleeping materials.
• 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.
• For health and safety reasons, we can't allow any motorised blow-up mattresses or other mattresses which would require electricity to inflate. 
• 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 personal value.

Clothing

• You'll need to bring clothing to sleep in, such as a tracksuit but 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. If you need to change, please use the cubicles located in the Great Court toilets. 
• The galleries can vary in temperature depending on the time of year, so please dress appropriately – we encourage you to bring layers.

Food and drink

• Food won't be provided until breakfast, so you'll probably need snacks and refreshments to keep you going at the snack break time, as snacks are not provided.
• There will be tea/coffee available for adults during the snack break at 21.00.
• Please be aware that food or drink (other than bottled water) is allowed 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.

• 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.

• You will need to complete a group names form. When you book online, the auto-confirmation email will include a link to this form. You’ll also be sent a reminder email ahead of the event which includes the form.
• Please make sure to complete the form ahead of the event as, if we don’t know in advance, we may not be able to accommodate your request.

• The sleepover will be held at full capacity without social distancing measures in place.
• In line with current government and NHS guidance, face masks are not mandatory but visitors are welcome to wear them if they wish.
• Equipment will be shared between visitors across some activities. If you'd prefer to bring your own, please contact the Young Friends team to find out what equipment you will need to bring.
• Please do not visit the Museum if you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms.