Established in 1753 with the acquisition of Sir Hans Sloane’s collection of antiquities and art, the British Museum is the oldest museum in the world and is now home to over four million exhibits. These range from and include archeological items, prints, drawings, natural history artefacts, coins, sculptures and other treasures.

Given the number of items on display it is no surprise to know that the museum is vast - its 94 galleries cover 2.5 miles (4km).

The present building was built in 1847 by Robert Smirke and is itself an impressive structure. Equally impressive are the Elgin Marbles taken from the Parthenon in Greece, the Rosetta stone, the Magna Carter from 1215, the remains of a Saxon ship with its silver and gold, Egyptian mummies to name but a very few of a huge collection.