Membership terms and conditions

If you are buying membership of the British Museum Friends for your own use, or if you are making use of British Museum Friends Membership after it was bought for you by someone else, then by your action you agree and accept that these Membership terms and conditions apply between us. If you don't agree and accept these terms and conditions you must not buy, or make use of, a British Museum Membership.

The British Museum Friends of Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG, is a registered charity (no. 1086080) and a limited company (no. 04133346). Its directors are the Trustees of the British Museum, who are also collectively responsible for the general management and control of the British Museum ('our premises'), pursuant to the British Museum Act 1963. Except as stated in condition 8.5 below references to 'we' or 'us' are references to the British Museum Friends and the Trustees of the British Museum jointly and severally.

References to 'British Museum Member' or 'Membership' refer to annual subscription-based Membership of the British Museum Friends.

References to 'you' 'your' 'yourself' in these Membership terms and conditions generally refer to any person buying Membership for their own use or to any person making use of Membership that was bought for them by someone else. However, in conditions three to seven below the references to 'you' 'your' 'yourself' shall also refer to any person buying Membership for someone else.

References to 'Privacy and Data Protection Requirements' mean the Data Protection Act 2018 and all other applicable law from time to time relating to the processing of personal data and privacy including (where applicable): (a) the General Data Protection Regulation (EU)2016/679 of the European Parliament ('GDPR');(b) the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, and (c) guidance and codes of practice or conduct issued by the UK Information Commissioner.

Our acceptance of your application (or your utilisation of Member benefits in the case of gift recipients) will bring into force a legally binding contract between us and you, and these Membership terms and conditions will form the basis of that contract through which we will deliver a service to you as a Member. You agree Membership terms and conditions shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law and that the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any dispute or matter arising in connection with them or the matters contemplated within them.

These Membership terms and conditions constitute the entire agreement and understanding between you and us and supersede any previous agreement relating to Membership.

You agree that in becoming a Member you do not rely on, and shall have no remedy in respect of, any statement, representation or understanding other than as expressly set out in these Membership terms and conditions.

Queries, comments and complaints

Our Membership team will aim to respond to any query received within five working days. This may be an acknowledgement of receipt while further investigations are carried out. If you have any queries or complaints please contact our Membership team:

Email: friends@britishmuseum.org
Phone: +44(0)20 7323 8195
Write to: The British Museum Friends, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Office hours are 10.00–16.00, Monday–Friday (excluding public holidays).

1. Membership benefits

1.1 As a Member you will receive a range of benefits. Membership packages generally include:

• Introductory welcome pack
• The opportunity to attend Members' events held at our premises (some of which may involve additional charges)
• Regular e-newsletters and communications including The British Museum Magazine
• Access to the Members' Room at our premises
• Offers from third parties

1.2 In addition to the above and, for so long as the Trustees of the British Museum are willing to permit the concession to continue, Membership will also entitle you to free entry to exhibitions at our premises. You should be aware that Trustees of the British Museum reserve the right to withdraw this concession from Members.

1.3 Any third party providers of a benefit included in your Membership package will have absolute discretion in relation to the provision of those benefits and their services are supplied on their own terms and conditions. We are not responsible for, and do not accept any liability for, loss or damage suffered as a result of a fault, error or omission in the provision of such services.

2. Visiting as a Member

2.1 To ensure you can make use of your Member benefits you are asked to bring your Membership card (or Welcome email, if your Membership card is yet to be received) with you whenever you visit our premises. This card will be scanned when entering the Members' Room and exhibitions, to check that the Membership is valid and to record your use of your benefits. You may be asked to present identification to verify that the card is yours.

2.2 Membership cards are issued for the named card holder only. You may not transfer your Membership to another person or allow another person to use your card.

2.3 If you possess an 'Admits 2' Membership you are entitled to share your Membership benefits with an invited guest, visiting our premises with you. You may not sell or transfer for profit or commercial gain your right to share your Membership benefits with an invited guest.

2.4 Membership is valid until the date of expiry shown on your card. If you lose your Membership card we will replace it free of charge on the first occasion. However, we may charge a small administrative fee if we are asked to provide another replacement card subsequently.

2.5 We aim to ensure that you are able to visit our exhibitions upon your arrival and without delay. However, on days of particularly high exhibition visitor numbers we may need to give you a ticket for timed entry at a particular time during the day.

2.6 We reserve the right not to fulfil, or to cancel, your Membership, and to require you to leave our premises, if you are found to be in breach of these conditions or of the British Museum's Visitor regulations, which are general conditions managing the rights of everyone entering our premises. Please note, the latest information regarding luggage onsite will always be found on our Accessibility page.

3. Right to refuse applications

3.1 We reserve the right to refuse any application for Membership.

3.2 On receipt of your application we will debit your card or process the Direct Debit payment for the appropriate fee. However our acceptance of your application for Membership remains subject to approval by us. If for any reason we cannot accept your application we will confirm that your account has been re-credited (if applicable).

3.3 If we are unable to obtain payment authorisation from the issuer of your card or from your bank in the case of Direct Debit payments and a Membership has already been issued to you, we will require the return of your Membership card and that you forfeit any benefits.

4. Price information

4.1 We reserve the right to amend the price of Membership subscriptions. You will be informed of any change to subscription rates with your renewal letter.

5. Credit/Debit card payments

5.1 The credit/debit card information you provide us for a Membership transaction will be used by us solely for the purpose of processing that Membership transaction.

5.2 We cannot accept credit/debit card payments by email and we will decline to accept payment by that means.

6. Direct Debit payments

6.1 If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit, we will notify you (normally 10 working days) in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If we request to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.

6.2 If an error has been made in the payment of your Direct Debit by us or your bank/building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount erroneously paid from your bank or building society. If you receive a refund in an amount you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when requested to do so by us.

6.3 You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. We would be grateful if you also notify us using the contact methods set out above.

7. Condition of cancellations

7.1 If you change your mind about subscribing as a Member after purchasing, you may request a refund by notifying the Membership team in writing within 14 days of purchase. Please note that any refund will be subject to deduction of the value of any benefits used within this period (e.g. exhibition entry tickets). PLEASE NOTE: If you set up a Direct Debit to buy Membership, but cancel it after you have enjoyed Membership benefits and before the Membership fee has been paid to us, you must nevertheless pay for the benefits you have received to terminate your Membership contract with us.

8. Data protection and use of personal data

8.1 When you apply for Membership in your own name, or while you remain a Member, we will process your personal data including your name and address to fulfil our Membership services to you and for our own market research and analysis, in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Regulations and the full terms of the Privacy policy. We have highlighted here those aspects which we believe are particularly relevant to data you supply as a Member.

8.2 Communications by post form part of the Membership benefits you have purchased, but you can request not to receive these communications by contacting the Membership team.

8.3 Marketing communications by email are also offered to ensure you can make the most of your Membership benefits. Please use the 'Unsubscribe' link at the footer of marketing emails or contact the Membership team should you no longer wish to receive them. Your email will then only be held and used for service messages regarding the administration of your Membership.

8.4 Should you wish to ask us to provide you with any personal information we hold about you, correct or request deletion of any data you supplied as a Member, please contact the Membership team. Once we have received your request, we will take appropriate steps to answer your request, delete your data or cease from using it in the manner you require. Please note that there may be situations where we are unable to meet your requirements in full.

8.5 We will hold your information securely but may disclose information about you to any of our employees, officers or data processors (e.g. mailing houses or Direct Debit payment processors) insofar as that is reasonably necessary for the purposes set out in these Membership terms and conditions. Otherwise, we will not pass your personal data to third parties without your prior consent.

8.5 You should be aware that what we say in these paragraphs 8.1 – 8.4 applies only to the data we hold about you in relation to your Membership and our supply of Membership services to you. These Membership terms and conditions have no application to any personal data you permit to be processed by the Trustees of the British Museum or any other part of the British Museum's group companies or other third parties as the consequence of any consent you give or any supply of services that do not form part of your Membership or any supply of Membership.

9. Events

9.1 As a Member you will have access to a programme of events organised by us on your behalf. Attending some events may require a payment by you in addition to the annual Membership fee.

9.2 Ticketed events have a limited capacity (which will vary according to format) and therefore admission numbers may be limited and cannot be guaranteed.

9.3 Access to exhibitions during Member events will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

9.4 We reserve the right to cancel or rearrange an organised event. As a Member, a current events programme will be made available to you via the Members' website.

9.5 Members' tickets for paid events are non-refundable.

9.6 We do not accept liability for any irrecoverable costs incurred (e.g. travel) by Members if we have to close or cancel an event due to unforeseen circumstances.

10. Members' Room

10.1 As a Member you will enjoy access to the Members' Room during advertised opening hours. You and your permitted guests (if applicable) must leave the Members' Room before closing time or when prompted by a member of our staff.

10.2 You must show your valid Membership card to gain entry to the Members' Room. You can bring as many guests as your Membership card allows. You may bring up to four family children under the age of 16 into the Members' Room without additional charge. Capacity in the Members’ Room is limited and you may be refused immediate entrance if there is no available space.

10.3 Please keep your use of mobile phones to a minimum while in the Members' Room and please refrain from using laptops from 12.00–15.00 in the Members' Room other than at the large study table.

10.4 Catering Services (food and beverage and ancillary services) are provided in the Members' Room by our contractor, Benugo (the Service Provider). If there are complaints or comments about the Service Provider's service to Members they should be directed to the Manager for the Service Provider (at the address below) and our Membership team (contact details above).

10.5 You must not bring your own food and snacks into the Members' Room unless you are visiting with babies and young children.

10.6 In the event of an emergency evacuation, you must leave the Members' Room immediately as instructed by our staff. Do not use the lifts. You should leave your personal belongings if you do not have time to retrieve them. If you need special help you should seek assistance from our staff.

Written comments and complaints to Benugo:

Ross Hutchins
General Manager
Benugo
The British Museum 
Great Russell Street
WC1B 3DG

11. Our Right to Terminate for Breach

We shall have the right to terminate your Membership immediately and without repayment of your Membership subscription if you commit a material breach of these Membership terms and conditions that cannot be resolved (or, if you commit a material breach that is capable of resolution, you do not resolve it to our reasonable satisfaction within 14 days of us informing you about it).