The Titanic museum and conference centre in Belfast name in top five best museums in GB
THE iconic Titanic Belfast has been named in the top of best five museums in Great Britain.
Whether you’re a history or arts buff, you’d be in the right place for a cultural experience when you visit GB.
And especially so when the International Museum Day is celebrated worldwide on May 18.
After all, not only does the country have a rich heritage, it’s steeped in history.
To help you plan your itinerary, British Airways has listed the top five museums to visit in London, Manchester and Northern Ireland.
1. British Museum, London
The grand old dame of museums, the British Museum in London, is famous for its extensive artefact collection and art spanning centuries and cultures. Photo: William Warby
Known as the “grand old dame” of museums, it is famous for its extensive artefact collection and art spanning centuries and cultures. The museum has remained open since 1759 with the exception of during the two World Wars.
The museum has over eight million objects in its collections, spread out over a 92,000 sqm area. Among its high-profile collections are the Rosetta Stone, the Townley gallery of classical sculpture, and the Parthenon sculptures. You will be amazed at how time flies and history comes alive as you immerse yourself in a tour of the British Museum.
Admission is free and the museum is open daily from 10am till 5.30pm.
2. Tate Modern, London
The exterior view of the Tate Modern by night. Photo: Hayes Davidson and Herzog de Meuron
Tate has four major sites – Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. Tate Modern is the mecca for contemporary art enthusiasts. Housed in a de-commissioned power station, the gallery itself is a work of modern art with its beautiful brickwork, and concrete and rough wooden staircases.
It occupies seven floors of gallery space with collections dating from the 1900s to present day. Level 5 is a must see with its works of art from Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Admission to Tate Modern is free except for special exhibitions. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm (Sunday to Thursday), 10am to 10pm (Friday and Saturday).
3. London Transport Museum
Double decker buses in the London Transport Museum which showcases the city’s transport heritage for the last 200 years. Photo: TfL, from London Transport Museum Collection
In the heart of the popular Covent Garden, is the London Transport Museum, where you can discover London’s transport heritage for the last 200 years. From the iconic red double-decker buses to the complex London Underground network, highlights of the museum include the Jubilee Line simulator where visitors can become a conductor for the day and experience driving one of the London Underground trains. The museum also has a family play zone with a fleet of mini vehicles for children. The Upper Deck Café is a convenient place to pause and enjoy a selection of food and drinks.
Admission to the London Transport Museum is £17 (RM98) each for adults. The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
4. The National Football Museum, Manchester
The National Football Museum, located in Manchester, has the largest collection of football memorabilia, such as balls, boots and jerseys, including the prestigious Fifa collection. Photo: National Football Museum Manchester
Home to two of the most renowned English Premier League clubs, Manchester is the place to visit for football fans. The National Football Museum is located in this bustling city. The museum opened in 2001 and has the largest collection of football memorabilia available including balls, boots and jerseys including the prestigious Fifa collection. Over 2,500 objects are on display and the museum has interactive games for visitors to try, including the notorious penalty shootout.
Admission into the museum is free and it is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
5. Titanic Museum Belfast, Northern Ireland
At the Atrium of the Titanic Belfast Museum looking down. Photo: Titanic Belfast
Located on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the ill-fated RMS Titanic was built, Titanic Museum Belfast is also a memorial to the city’s maritime heritage.
The iconic building, shaped like a ship’s bows, is a sight to behold. As you walk through the doors, you are transported back in time as the story of RMS Titanic is retold, from her conception to her launch and her tragic fate.
The galleries are innovative and interactive and the Titanic story is presented in a fresh and insightful way.
Admission fee starts from £7.25 (RM42) per child and £17 (RM98) per adult. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm daily.
