Museum · London
British Museum: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official British Museum website. Official links are under Sources.
British Museum is free to enter.
- Open today 10:00–20:30.
- Also free: Korea exhibition free for under-16s (until 31 Jan 2027); The Bayeux Tapestry experience free for under-16s with a ticketed adult (until 11 Jul 2027).
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Korea exhibition free for under-16s (until 31 Jan 2027): Exhibition entry is by timed ticket; book the free under-16 ticket with an adult.
- The Bayeux Tapestry experience free for under-16s with a ticketed adult (until 11 Jul 2027): Must be booked together with a paid adult ticket.
- Book a free timed ticket online to get priority entry at busy times; walk-ups are admitted only when there is capacity.
- Use the Montague Place entrance at the back as an alternative to the main Great Russell Street entrance.
- Friday evenings run to 20:30 (last entry 20:15).
- Bayeux Tapestry tickets for January-March 2027 are already sold out.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freePermanent collection is free for everyone | everyone | Special exhibitions are charged separately (e.g. Korea, The Bayeux Tapestry). Security check and bag search for all; wheeled suitcases and large bags are not allowed. | No |
| Free forKorea exhibition free for under-16s (until 31 Jan 2027) | children under 16 | Applies to the paid special exhibition only. | Yes |
| Free forThe Bayeux Tapestry experience free for under-16s with a ticketed adult (until 11 Jul 2027) | children under 16 | Maximum four under-16s per ticketed adult. Tickets for 1 Jan-31 Mar 2027 are sold out; the next release is in 2027. | Yes |
Official prices
British Museum ticket prices
| Korea special exhibition, adult (1 Oct 2026 - 31 Jan 2027) — Two millennia of Korean art in a timed-entry special exhibition. | £18 |
| The Bayeux Tapestry, adult standard price (off-peak £27, super off-peak £25) — The 70-metre tapestry on loan from France until July 2027; free audio guide included. | £33 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: British Museum
GetYourGuideLondon: 2h British Museum Guided Tour with Priority Entrance★★★★★ 4.9 · 1.7k reviews2 hoursfrom £28.99
GetYourGuideLondon: British Museum Tour + Priority Entry★★★★☆ 4.2 · 1.0k reviews2 - 3 hoursfrom £6.70
GetYourGuideLondon: British Museum Guided Tour & Priority Entry★★★★★ 4.7 · 587 reviews2 hoursfrom £27.55- GetYourGuideLondon: British Museum Guided Tour with Priority Entry★★★★★ 4.8 · 140 reviews2 hoursfrom £24.70
TiqetsBritish Museum: Guided Tour with Headset★★★★☆ 4.1 · 17 reviews2 hoursfrom £50
TiqetsBritish Museum: Guided Tour★★★★☆ 4.3 · 11 reviews2 hoursfrom £52
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–20:30 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Daily 10:00-17:00, Fridays until 20:30. Last entry 16:45 (Fridays 20:15). Galleries start clearing 10 minutes before closing. No late opening on Good Friday (26 March 2027).
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
British Museum: common questions
Is British Museum free?
Yes — British Museum is free to enter. Also free: Korea exhibition free for under-16s (until 31 Jan 2027); The Bayeux Tapestry experience free for under-16s with a ticketed adult (until 11 Jul 2027).
Who gets free entry to British Museum?
Children under 16 — applies to the paid special exhibition only.. Children under 16 — maximum four under-16s per ticketed adult. Tickets for 1 Jan-31 Mar 2027 are sold out; the next release is in 2027..
Do I need to book for free entry to British Museum?
Exhibition entry is by timed ticket; book the free under-16 ticket with an adult.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about British Museum
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Sources
Where this comes from
- britishmuseum.org/visit · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/korea · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/bayeux-tapestry · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.