The spectacular Tutankhamun exhibition has arrived – so why not book a stay at hotel near Bloomsbury London and explore London’s Egyptian links?

Wherever you go in London, links with Ancient Egypt can be found reflecting the long-held fascination with this historic culture.  Walking along the Embankment beside the Thames brings you to the massive obelisk known as Cleopatra’s Needle. Standing over 69 feet high, it is covered in Egyptian hieroglyphs and is flanked by two bronze Sphinx.  Although the sphinx appears to be Egyptian, they were actually made in England as are the winged sphinxes to be found on benches nearby. 

The British Museum houses a stunning collection of Egyptian mummies, which are always popular with visitors.  Less well known, but equally worth visiting, is the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology located at University College London. This contains many items found by Petrie, an archaeologist, whilst working in Egypt over a hundred years ago.  It has been described as one of the greatest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology in the world including pottery, Hawara mummy portraits, tiles and inlays from Amarna.

There are many hotels near Soho London where you can book a stay and head over to Harrods and explore its amazing Egyptian Hall and Escalator, complete with busts of various Pharaohs. Stop off at the former Daily Telegraph building on Fleet Street and admire the Egyptian façade or head up to the Soane Museum to explore its Egyptian treasure trove including the Sarcophagus of Seti 1. 

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And of course, there is Tutankhamun himself.  This spectacular exhibition of his treasures is at the Saatchi Gallery in Kensington until next May and is already attracting enormous attention.  Tickets are selling fast and no wonder.  On display is the largest ever collection of items from Tutankhamun’s tomb ever to leave Egypt.  Visitors can see 150 items ranging from tiny pieces of jewellery to a colossal statue of the boy Pharaoh.  There is plenty of gold on display for this is treasure of a king.  Discovered almost 100 years ago, archaeologist Howard Carter could only comment that he saw ‘wonderful things’ when he broke through the tomb wall for the first time. 

Take a look at exquisite jewellery, intricate engravings on fans, furniture, shields and hunting bows.  Be stunned by the incredible craft skills that embellish all the items.  Discover the story behind the Pharaoh, and just how his tomb came to be found in this fascinating exhibition.