Most visitors expect to access the British Museum from Great Russell Street but when you get to the entrance, unless you have an exhibition ticket or are a Member, you are told to go to the back entrance. There are no prominent signs warning you of this: just a small notice in a frame on the railing.Having legged it to the back entrance you then have to go through a grubby little security tent to have your bags checked.Eventually I got to the Japanese Galleries (rooms 92-94); then they were closed at 15:00 but there was no notice that this would happen.Let’s have a cup of tea in the Great Court cafe: this was uncomfortably cold.The impression I get from the British Museum is they simply don’t care. Visitors are a nuisance, so let’s annoy them by making them walk further than necessary (no consideration for those with disabilities), close galleries early without warning, and make them sit in a cold café while they consume overpriced food and drink.This institution should be utterly ashamed of itself. The public would be far better served if it were closed and its contents handed over to other museums and galleries who actually welcome visitors e.g. the V&A, National Portrait Gallery.Visitors: don’t spoil your visit to London by going to this unwelcoming and uncaring museum which is well past its sell-by date.
