The British Museum on Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, is one of the most visited places in the country, and a visit can easily fill a whole day. If you'd like a proper sit-down meal before or after, away from the busiest streets, Fiena, our family-run Italian cafe, bar and restaurant, is about 1.3 km north at 4 Medway Court, Judd Street, London WC1H 9QX. On foot that's roughly 17 minutes through Bloomsbury.
About the museum
The British Museum was established by an Act of Parliament in 1753, making it the world's first public national museum. It grew out of the collection of the physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane and opened to the public in 1759 in Montagu House, on the site of today's building. Its permanent collection of around eight million objects is the largest in the world, and like all UK national museums it is free to enter, except for loan exhibitions.
At its heart is the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, designed by Foster and Partners and opened in December 2000. It's the largest covered square in Europe, under a glass and steel roof, with the old Reading Room at its centre. Background from Wikipedia's British Museum page.
Before you go
- Opening times: the museum lists daily opening from 10:00 to 17:00, and until 20:30 on Fridays. Last entry is 16:45 (20:15 on Fridays).
- Tickets: entry is free. The museum advises booking a free timed ticket in advance, but walk-up visits are available each day. The Korea exhibition runs until 31 January 2027 and is ticketed separately.
- Gallery closures: from 12 to 23 October 2026, the museum lists Rooms 42–43 (the Islamic world) and Rooms 46–48 (Europe from 1400 to the present) as closed, with Room 41 (Sutton Hoo) partly closed.
- Luggage: wheeled cases aren't allowed in the museum. It points visitors to luggage storage at the big stations, including King's Cross and Euston.
Check the British Museum visit page before you set off.
The walk
From the main entrance on Great Russell Street, walk up Montague Street along the museum's east side to Russell Square. Cross over to Bernard Street, then head north on Marchmont Street and along Leigh Street to Judd Street, where you'll find us at Medway Court. The route is quiet and residential for most of the way, and it brings you out close to King's Cross St Pancras if you've got a train to catch afterwards.
Breakfast before the museum opens
We open at 08:00 every day and serve breakfast until 14:00, so there's plenty of time before the museum's doors open at 10. Try Eggs Benedict (ham, Florentine or Royale), the Fiena English breakfast or a granola bowl, with a cappuccino or a flat white. See our breakfast menu.
Lunch or dinner after the galleries
From midday our main menu runs straight through to close, so there's no gap if your visit runs long. Share a few starters, such as bruschetta, Caprese or arancini, then move on to pasta like spaghetti carbonara, lasagna or Linguine Fiena, a pizza, or fish and grills such as sea bass with capers or lamb cutlets. On a Friday late opening, the museum closes at 20:30 and we're open until 22:00.
Maria found us while she and her son were wandering around Kings Cross area trying to avoid overcrowded overpriced cafes
(Maria M., Google review). Aidan noticed the pace: Amazing, food was delicious service was quick
(Aidan, Google review).
More of Bloomsbury
The British Museum is just one of the places within a walk of Judd Street. Our guides to Russell Square and Bloomsbury, a day around the British Library and the Charles Dickens Museum have more ideas. Students and NHS staff get 10% off every day with valid ID; see our post on the NHS and student discount.
“Incredible food, fun staff. Will come back!”
Deepesh, Google review, August 2026
Good to know
- Address: 4 Medway Court, Judd St, London WC1H 9QX. Phone 020 4618 6314.
- Hours: 08:00–22:00 Monday to Saturday, 08:00–21:00 Sunday. Breakfast until 14:00, the main menu from midday, and alcoholic drinks from 10:30.
- Booking: book online for up to eight, or walk in whenever we have space. For larger groups, please get in touch.
- Allergies: information on the 14 major allergens is available on request.
A morning with eight million objects, then a long Italian lunch. Book a table or walk in at 4 Medway Court, Judd Street.