British Museum - 🐘 Final week Ancient India: living traditions 🐘

 

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Final week Ancient India: living traditions Dear Dominic, This week we are exploring the colourful and atmospheric world of ancient India, ahead of the closing of our major exhibition on Sunday 19 October. There's still time to plan a visit to Ancient India: living traditions, and more information can be found below. This week you can... Create a paper marigold Paint a Bengali storytelling scroll Explore the Remus archive And for older Young Friends, discover the connection between sacred art and snakes and ladders with exhibition curator Sushma Jansari. We also have a fantastic range of events coming up soon. Join us for hands-on workshops exploring traditional Indian crafts as we mark the beginning of Diwali. And across October half-term, families can enjoy a spooktacular extravaganza with a free five-day festival. Keep reading to find out more. We hope to see you soon! The Young Friends and Schools and Family Programmes teams If you are considering visiting on 17 or 18 October we would recommend arriving early, before 17.00 on 17 October and before 13.00 on 18 October, to avoid any potential delays. This is due to an early closure of the Great Russell Street entrance, cloakroom and a number of the Museum’s galleries on those days. The exhibition itself will remain fully open.

Plan your visit Ancient India: living traditions Discover the origins of sacred art in the nature spirits of ancient India – and how it lives on 2,000 years later. Find out more

Under 16s can visit Ancient India: living traditions for free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Activities to try at home

Make a paper marigold Marigolds are an important part of many ceremonies and celebrations in India, including festivals and weddings. Now it's your turn to make a sunny marigold! Get crafting Create a storytelling scroll Scroll paintings are an ancient tradition originating in West Bengal in India. Come up with your own story and start painting. Get painting

Remus Visit our digital archive to dive into new and past issues of our magazine for young people. Read now

For older Young Friends

Why snakes in snakes and ladders? Join curator Sushma Jansari as she takes you on a tour of the Sacred Snakes and Serpents of the devotional religions of ancient India. Watch now

Join us at the Museum!

Garlands, mirrors and light Celebrating Diwali and ancient India Get involved in traditional Indian craft making to celebrate the start of Diwali and mark the end of the five-star exhibition Ancient India: living traditions. Suitable for 6+ Sunday 19 October 11.00–13.00 14.00–16.00 Find out more Sponsored by Subrang Arts and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Spooky skeletons and sugar skulls October half-term family festival Join the fun this October half-term and celebrate the Day of the Dead and Halloween with our free, five-day family festival! Enjoy festive storytelling and music or get creative with our drawing and headpiece-making workshops. Events are planned for various age ranges. Please read our website to explore the full programme and plan your visit. Monday 27 – Saturday 31 October Find out more

Baker Street Quarter Partnership - News of the Quarter

 

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06 October 2025 News of the Quarter Art in Marylebone and Marble Arch This October, together with our partners Marble Arch London and Portman Marylebone, we’re celebrating Art in Marylebone & Marble Arch. From world-class museums and established galleries to contemporary spaces and emerging artists, Marylebone and Marble Arch are home to a rich and ever-evolving arts scene. Visitors can explore everything from historic collections and modern masterpieces to cutting-edge installations, all within a neighbourhood celebrated for its culture, character, and creativity. Discover our new dedicated art directory here detailing everything that’s going on this month and beyond. Whether you’re looking for ‘Radical Honesty’, seeking ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ or want to explore otherworldly energies in ‘Ectoplasmix’, our galleries and museums are the perfect backdrop for a culture filled visit.     Plus keep your eyes peeled on Instagram for an exciting competition later this month that art lovers will relish! Art in Marylebone and Marble Arch is brought to you by Portman Marylebone, Make it Marylebone and Marble Arch London, who are working together to shine a spotlight on the area’s cultural offer. Find out more Meet the Team Reminder A reminder that our drop-in sessions to meet our team is on 14 October… Learn More Phone Snatching Update A reminder to be vigilant plus a link to our phone snatching awareness poster … Learn More Sustainable City Charter BakerStreetQ has become a Strategic Partner of Westminster City Council’s Sustainable City Charter… Learn More Central London Samaritans Local affiliate branch has addressed recent press coverage concerning the wider Samaritans organisation… Learn More Spotlight - The Montagu Kitchen A quick reminder of the exclusive dining offer available to you at The Montagu Kitchen, Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill’s restaurant. Guests spending £30 or more can enjoy 20% off the final bill, valid Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, as well as for Afternoon Tea reservations. Find Out More Emergency First Aid Training 09 October Find out more! Action Counter Terrorism Course 05 November Find out more! Fire Marshal Training 25 November Find out more! GDPR Training 10 October Find out more! Overcoming Stress and Fear 14 October Find out more! How to Manage your Inbox 15 October Find out more! 55 Baker Street: Every First and Third Thursday Marylebone Station: Every Wednesday and Thursday Discover all our markets! Did you know? Westminster’s world-famous buildings help make London the incredibly exciting and vibrant place it is today. However, non-domestic buildings also contribute 71% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. Find out more about how the Sustainable City Charter aims to address this here.