Did You Know?

Did you know that London is the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games? The first modern Olympics were held in London in 1908. The city has since hosted the Games two more times, in 1948 and 2012. The 2012 London Olympics marked the first time that the Games were held in the city in over 60 years.

Did you know that London is home to the iconic Tower Bridge? Often mistaken as London Bridge, Tower Bridge is a famous symbol of the city. It was completed in 1894 and is an impressive feat of engineering. Visitors can walk across its high-level walkways and enjoy panoramic views of the River Thames and the city.

Did you know that London is home to many world-class museums and galleries? The city is renowned for its cultural institutions, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. These institutions house vast collections of art, historical artifacts, and cultural treasures.

Did you know that London has an extensive underground railway system known as the "Tube"? The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world and serves millions of passengers every day. It is an iconic symbol of the city's transportation system and a convenient way to navigate London's neighborhoods.

Did you know that London has a diverse and multicultural population? Over 300 languages are spoken in the city, making it one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. People from various cultural backgrounds have made London their home, contributing to its vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

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The British Museum: A Time Capsule Of World History

Do not attempt this in one day! A visit to The British Museum, the first (established 1753) and largest public museum of its kind in the world, is either a one-day, one-department plan or a week-long expedition. There are more than 13 million artefacts to see; overwhelming! The objects cover a period of two million years of human history, art and culture.

Located on Great Russell Street in the Bloomsbury district of London, the Greek Revival-style collection of buildings (a great deal of expansion as occurred since it opened) boasts an ornate facade of 44 Ionic columns. The structure houses 75,00 square metres (807, 000 square feet) of exhibit space in 94 galleries covering departments such as Egypt and Sudan, Greece and Rome, the Middle East, Britain and Europe, Asia, and Africa, Oceania and the Americas. There is also a vast library, donated by King George III, and a Prints and Drawings department.

Six million visitors attend The British Museum every year, viewing objects like the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Marbles. The only better way to learn about humans and our world would be to live for thousands of years and visit every place on earth. While The British Museum contains this under one roof, the expanse leaves one gob-smacked. It is a must-see in London. Check out the museum’s litany of YouTube videos before you go. You’ll learn about how objects were used in their day, and be able to narrow down your visit to your favourite things.