Tuesday 10 February: Visit to the Egyptian Galleries at the British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG

On Tuesday 10 February Art in the Park will make our first visit to the Egyptian Galleries of the British Museum.   Spectacular ancient Egyptian sculptures as you all know.  Tricia has recently visited Egypt and we hope that she will be able to give us a few insights, and show some of her sketches.   The large statues of the various Ramesses, etc., are in the vast hall that is Room 4 on the Ground Floor.  Upstairs in Rooms 61 - 66 the focus is more on mummies and painted coffins.   Hopefully ancient Egypt will not be too full of visitors, we are avoiding both half-term and the Chinese New Year, when we understand that many Chinese visit London.   If ancient Egypt is too crowded to sketch, we can go into the adjacent rooms 6 -10 which contain the wonders of ancient Assyria, usually less crowded.

A plan of the Museum can be found here 

We will meet at 11 o'clock at point E on the Ground Floor Plan, where there is an entrance into Room 4 from the Great Court.  The entrance is opposite the Collections Shop (in the central rotunda), please do not confuse it with the two other shops in the central rotunda (The Great Court Shop and the Book Shop) which face in different directions.    Point E is the Rosetta Stone. 

In order to avoid lengthy queues it will be best to enter the Museum by the rear entrance in Montague Place.  They will probably check your bags so travel light.  A water bottle is allowed.  Entry to the main collection of the BM is free but they encourage people to buy a free ticket online, where they can also ask for a donation.  In theory ticket holders, even free ones, get through the queue system faster.   If getting a ticket, get one in advance of 11 o'clock.

A map of the location of the BM can be found here     It is close to many bus routes and several tube stations.  

Like most London museums, the BM only allows dry materials to be used, pencils, crayons, pastels, ballpoint pens.  Not sure about felt tip pens.  Stools are available, ask a member of staff as soon as possible.  No easels are allowed. 

Unless anyone has a better suggestion, we will have lunch in the Grand Court where there are long tables.

 Sue's mobile number for the day is 07975 864 142.