Free Entry to the Permanent Collection
The British Museum has been free to visit since it first opened to the public in 1759. It was one of the first national public museums in the world and was established with the principle that it should be freely accessible to all. That founding commitment has been maintained for over 260 years.
Today, you can walk in and explore the entire permanent collection without buying a ticket or making a booking. This includes all the major galleries, from the Egyptian and Assyrian rooms to the Greek and Roman collections, the Enlightenment Gallery, the medieval and Renaissance displays, and everything else on the main floor plan.
What You Might Pay For
While the permanent collection is free, the museum does host temporary special exhibitions in dedicated gallery spaces. These exhibitions often focus on a specific theme, culture or historical period, and they typically require a timed ticket that needs to be purchased in advance.
The museum also offers some paid experiences, including guided tours, evening events and educational programmes. However, these are entirely optional and separate from the core museum visit.
Donations
The museum welcomes voluntary donations. You will see donation points throughout the building and on the museum's website. These contributions help fund conservation work, new acquisitions and educational outreach. There is no pressure to donate, and it does not affect your access to any part of the free collection.
How the Museum Is Funded
The British Museum receives a significant portion of its operating budget as a grant from the UK government through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. This public funding is what makes free admission possible.
Additional revenue comes from donations, memberships, corporate sponsorship, commercial activities such as the museum shops and restaurants, touring exhibition fees and income from lending objects to other institutions. The museum is a registered charity, and its trustees are responsible for ensuring it remains financially sustainable while keeping general admission free.
Why It Matters
Free admission removes a significant barrier to access. Families, students, tourists and casual visitors can all walk in without worrying about cost. It also means you do not need to feel pressure to see everything in a single visit. Many regular visitors treat the museum as a place to drop into for an hour, exploring a different section each time. If you are planning your first trip, our guide on how long you need at the British Museum will help you decide how much time to set aside.
The British Museum is not alone in this approach. Most major national museums and galleries in London, including the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum and the National Gallery, also offer free general admission. This policy, reintroduced across national museums in 2001, has been one of the most popular cultural decisions in recent British history and has led to a substantial increase in visitor numbers across the board.
