The Foggy Albion has many aspects and attract in many ways. Perhaps museums of Great Britain can be called special attractions because on the territory of this island state there are lots of them (more than forty in London alone!), and among their amazing variety there are some very unusual ones. Unusual, by the way, is the fact that many institutions are free to visit and only require voluntary (optional) donations.

With such an abundance of items, it is not easy to think of a general TOP list because some people are interested only in the famous museums of Great Britain with world-famous exhibits, and some - in unusual exhibitions which can be seen in this country. Anyway, we will try!

TOP famous museums of Great Britain

• The British Museum is the world's largest historical and archaeological gallery. The very name speaks of the great importance of the site founded in 1753 in the opening of which Robert Cotton, Hance Sloan, Earl Robert Harley participated. The exhibits include unique pieces sent here directly from excavations as well as those bought back from private individuals by the government (walnut miniatures, ivory carvings from China, the famous Rosetta stone, Korean ceramics, and much more).
• The Victoria and Albert Museum is Europe's leader in the number of arts and crafts on display (from ancient Egyptian household items to the latest domestic inventions of mankind) ranking 14th in the world in terms of visitors. It houses hundred and fifty galleries; four million exhibits are in rooms with touch-screens.
• The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (Glasgow), a small exhibit begun in 1892 (architects are Simpson and Allen), will delight visitors with masterpieces by Scottish artist Mackintosh and matchless Whistler.
• The National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh is a unique opportunity to see paintings by El Greco, Raphael, Botticelli, Titian as well as works by Scottish masters. It is here that Henry Raeburn's painting "The Reverend Robert Walker Skating ...", which has recently become particularly popular (the reverend father's appearance resembling President Putin), is on display.
• Manchester Art Gallery, which features a massive collection of paintings by Pre-Raphaelite artists and a collection of northern design; a separate room by the Impressionists Adolphe Valette and Laurie is an opportunity to see images of industrial Manchester in the style of Brueghelian and Boschian "anthills".
• The Museum of Natural History is the largest of a kind (more than 70 million exhibits from various branches of science) and is also well known for its scientific activities. Originally based on the private collection of Hans Sloan which was sold off and generally stored in poor conditions, today the museum has its own research center dedicated to the preservation of the exhibits.

Places for those who love amazing things

In addition to the classics listed (which, of course, is only a small fraction), there are unusual interesting museums in Great Britain - for example:

• The Roman Thermae is one of the most striking sights based on the thermal spring existing since the Celtic period (the ancient Celts dedicated the buildings to the gods, the Romans built baths in the name of Aphrodite).
• The Churchill Situation Center (London) is a bunker opened by Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher in 1989 that served as a military headquarters during World War II. Located beneath the Palace of Westminster, the contents of these rooms remained, until recently, a military secret, closed even to members of the authorities.
• The National Railway Museum — over eight hectares of land in London housing the world's largest collection of locomotives and cars from different eras. More than half a million people visit it every year.
• Titanic (Belfast) is the country's most famous "young" museum, whose exhibition is dedicated to one event - the tragic sinking of the superliner (opened for the centennial of the tragedy).

It goes without saying that visiting British museums is a real way to get in touch with the culture of this rather specific country. It is easier, fuller and without leaving Russia such immersion is possible only when studying at the British school CIS International School, where communication and lessons are in English, and tutors and teachers are native speakers (find out more by calling the school administration). Full immersion in the cultural and linguistic environment guarantees graduates a perfect command of English verified by the Cambridge certificate.