Late afternoon advantage: Everyone rushes museums first thing but honestly 4pm onwards proves best timing at major london attractions. Tour groups departed, families getting cranky and leaving for dinner in covent garden.

British museum weekdays: After 5pm on great russell street completely transforms the experience. Can actually see rosetta stone without fifty phones blocking your view near tottenham court road entrance.

Museum guards often share fascinating details about egyptian sculptures when they're not managing school groups from the provinces.