17 breathtaking pictures of the British Museum before opening time

Anyone who's ever been to the British Museum will know how tempting it is to take a picture of the building's awesome mix of architecture. While most tourists might not capture the magic of space in their photos – all those people, shaky hands and bad lighting don't add up to ideal shooting conditions, after all – a group of Instagrammers headed to museum early on Saturday morning to snap the space before it opened to the public. The results are spectacular.

 

A tiny @johnathancrawls #emptybm Happy Monday all ??

A photo posted by Lucy Hamidzadeh ?? London (@juicylucyham) on Jul 19, 2015 at 11:53pm PDT

The central cylindrical building was designed by architect Sir Robert Smirke in 1823. The surrounding space was then meant to be a garden, but was given a magnificent steel and glass roof in 1999. Inspired by the roof of the Reichstag in Berlin, the ceiling was constructed out of 3,312 panes of glass. See more snaps of the building on Instagram with the #emptyBM. Enjoy!

 

Tiny people taking pictures on their phones in big places - and that ceiling...#emptybm

A photo posted by Dolly Brown (@londonlivingdoll) on Jul 19, 2015 at 10:18pm PDT

 

the calm before the 20,000 daily tourists storm?? #emptyBM @britishmuseum

A photo posted by zöé caldwell (@zoecaldwell) on Jul 19, 2015 at 1:47pm PDT

 

I had an absolutely wonderful time at the @britishmuseum's #emptyBM event yesterday. It really doesn't get much better than exploring one of my favourite buildings with some of my favourite Instagramers. Amazing stuff!

A photo posted by Tim Hatton ? (@the.hat) on Jul 19, 2015 at 2:01am PDT

 

Hope everyone's enjoying their Sunday! Here's another one from #emptyBM ??

A photo posted by JOHNATHAN CRAWLEY (@johnathancrawls) on Jul 19, 2015 at 9:23am PDT

 

#emptybm ~ yesterday morning I was lucky to experience one of my favourite spots in London empty. Usually so busy, it was great to be able wander around this beautiful space before the crowds arrived. The light was just perfect & I got to catch up with some lovely instagrammers too. Special thanks to the @britishmuseum and to Zoë @zobolondon for the invite, we had such a great time.

A photo posted by Lucy Hamidzadeh ?? London (@juicylucyham) on Jul 19, 2015 at 12:53am PDT

 

Had the pleasure of taking some very amazing instagramers around @britishmuseum before it opened this morning. Here's the beautiful Enlightenment Gallery #emptyBM

A photo posted by Stephanie Maxwell (@steff_max) on Jul 18, 2015 at 7:24am PDT

 

the @britishmuseum was established by act of parliament in 1753 & first opened to the public in 1759 ~ it is the oldest public museum in the world. mind blown. ? #emptyBM

A photo posted by zöé caldwell (@zoecaldwell) on Jul 19, 2015 at 7:29am PDT

 

Contemplating antiquity #emptyBM

A photo posted by Dolly Brown (@londonlivingdoll) on Jul 19, 2015 at 1:57am PDT

 

Alex (@whatalexloves ) standing at the main entrance to The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court of the British Museum (@BritishMusuem) this morning before the daily 20,000 visitors arrived. #EmptyBM Special thanks to @BritishMuseum and @zobolondon for organising the early morning visit today!

A photo posted by tschang (@tschang) on Jul 18, 2015 at 8:40am PDT

 

I am now back in London, and woke up early this morning for a very unique experience at the #BritishMuseum. Along with some friends, I was lucky to explore the museum before it opened to the public. Thank you @BritishMuseum and Zoë (@zobolondon) for the invitation. #EmptyBM

A photo posted by Alexandra (@whatalexloves) on Jul 18, 2015 at 7:17am PDT

 

Thank you to @britishmuseum and @zobolondon for a great morning spent wandering round an empty @britishmuseum. The experience of this space is totally different when it's not packed with hordes of tourists. #emptyBM

A photo posted by Dolly Brown (@londonlivingdoll) on Jul 18, 2015 at 4:07am PDT

 

The British Museum is one of my favourite spots in London but with an average of 20,000 people passing through its doors every day it's sometimes hard to find a quiet spot to reflect. This morning I was lucky enough to sneak in before the crowds arrived and enjoy a blissfully #emptybm

A photo posted by Joe Pickard (@josephowen) on Jul 18, 2015 at 3:52am PDT

 

This morning we welcomed some incredible instagramers to capture unique perspectives of the Museum before it opened for the day. Here's @zobolondon in the quiet of the Great Court. Check out #emptyBM to see their photos!

A photo posted by British Museum (@britishmuseum) on Jul 18, 2015 at 2:27am PDT

 

A beautiful morning to be at the Museum! #emptyBM

A photo posted by Kate Carter (@katecarter59) on Jul 18, 2015 at 12:36am PDT

 

#? #emptyBM

A photo posted by DFB (@byllod) on Jul 19, 2015 at 1:54am PDT

 

The Great Court all to ourselves for #emptyBM

A photo posted by Stephanie Maxwell (@steff_max) on Jul 18, 2015 at 2:15am PDT

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