Please sign in to post.

TR. British Museum.

Well, I was able to use Citymapper and Google Maps to figure out how to get the 38 bus from my hotel to British Museum It was very simple and I felt like it was a real achievement

The 38 bus is one of those buses that works very well as a sort of tourist bus. The route to the British Museum was interesting and pretty

I loved The British Museum.

In a brochure, it is described as “a museum of the world, for the world”

There is so much to see that I am not certain of what all I saw and what I missed. I know that I saw a lot but I am aware that I also missed a lot

I would suggest a minimum of two hours but that is the barest minimum. Really you should allow at least four hours minimum and still it will not be enough.

The line to get in was not a problem. We were there two hours early but my ticket time was not checked. And because of my mobility issues, I was waved over to an easier and faster line.

The museum became very crowded very soon, it may have had something to do with the Bayeux Tapestry as well as school break. Lots of school children on field trips

We had nice weather today and that helped. It was cold but comfortable cold. It was dry. There was some sun and no wind.

But it appears that tomorrow will be a different story. We may or will be affected by Storm Austen and prediction says 100% rain. There are other dire warnings and it may be that way for the rest of my vacation.

My friend and I are going to try to get over to Royalty Arts Gallery tomorrow. We passed it on the 38 bus to British Museum and it piqued my attention. Looked so beautiful as well as interesting.

Liking the Premier Inn more than I did my first day but I think it has to do with improved weather.

Posted by
10382 posts

So you haven’t yet tried the https://tfl.gov.uk/maps_/tfl-go
website?

Over numerous London sojourns I’ve found it extremely useful.

Since the weather prediction isn’t positive do consider a theatre matinee performance, another free museum, or enjoying an afternoon tea.

Would the Battersea Power station conversion be of interest to you?

Posted by
2729 posts

BP, congratulations on navigating with Citymapper and Google Maps.

I think the British Museum is always loud and crowded. My last visit I spent 90 minutes inside before needing to escape.

Enjoy exploring!

Posted by
726 posts

Glad to hear your time at the museum was enjoyable. And congratulations on conquering the buses! You don't need the HoHo bus after all.
Cynthia

Posted by
654 posts

“ Royalty Arts Gallery”

No such place - do you mean the Royal Academy of Art, in the big courtyard off Piccadilly? They have various exhibitions rather than an existing collection (like the National Galley does) so it would be worth checking their website to see if the current exhibition interests you. Of course, they have a good restaurant and an excellent shop too!

Posted by
1824 posts

Glad you were able to get to the British Museum! Oh yes I forgot it's school holidays right now, so yes museums will be more crowded during the week than normal.

If you mean the Royal Academy of Arts, just be warned that's our most expensive art museum. We have a lot of great museums where the permanent collection is free of charge but this is not one of them. You may want to check in advance to see if what they have on interests you before you pay for it.

The weather should pick up by Sunday!

Posted by
10699 posts

Way to Go, Boston Phil! Proud of you for embracing technology that can make your trip so much easier.

Posted by
11668 posts

So glad that CityMapper was helpful for you ! And that you enjoyed the bus ride and the British Museum. Lovely !

Posted by
9398 posts

The Royal Academy (there’s the one for art, and there’s also one for music, and another for dance) has an exhibition that just started, and it’s running through the end of January. We’re going to see it on our upcoming trip!

It’s called “Painting the French Riviera,” and if you go to the Royal Academy’s Website, it says:

The radiance of the French Riviera left an indelible mark on artists. It roused the imaginations not only of the 19th and 20th centuries' greatest painters – among them Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, Renoir and Klein – but giants of literature, cinema and fashion, whose works helped define the carefree glamour and eternal romance of the Côte d'Azur.

Even if the weather in London is at all dreary during your visit, seeing that French Riviera show could virtually transport you to South of France!
The courtyard for the building, once you pass through the entrance gates, is quite majestic!

And to top it off, Fortnum & Mason is right across the street (Piccadilly street). That fancy department store is the ultimate place for Afternoon Tea https://www.fortnumandmason.com/afternoon-tea or you can pop in for a less expensive snack/tea in their second floor café.