In an extraordinary feat, a British man has secured his place in history by setting a Guinness World Record for visiting an astonishing number of museums in one day.
Ben Melham’s Museum Marathon
On October 25, 42-year-old Ben Melham embarked on an adventure through London, where he visited 42 museums in less than 12 hours, riding his kick scooter.
His thrilling journey took him to notable destinations like the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Barbican Art Gallery.
Just this week, Ben’s remarkable achievement received official acknowledgment from the Guinness World Records team.
Ben’s accomplishment outpaced the previous record, which was jointly held by Indian museum lovers Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Swaroop Dawrani, by a remarkable nine museums.
Last year, the duo managed to visit 33 museums in a single day.
He kicked off his exploration at 9:03 a.m. at the Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in East London, wrapping up his day at the Royal Academy of Arts in Central London at 7:58 p.m., as reported by Guinness World Records.
Inspiration and Experience
His motivation stemmed from an engaging family activity—reading a Guinness World Records book with his children, Matilde and Henrik.
They sparked his enthusiasm for the challenge, urging him to turn his aspirations into action.
Ben spoke about the enchanting experience that London’s museums offer, with each one acting as a gateway to different times and stories.
Now that he has tasted success, Melham is setting his sights even higher: he aims to visit the most museums in a single year.
Starting this challenge last month, he has already explored 85 museums and is eager to add more to his list.
The Role of Museums
He passionately emphasized the role of museums as guardians of the narratives and artifacts that shape our cultures and identities.
These cultural havens inspire us to reflect on our histories, engage with our current realities, and imagine our futures.
Adam Millward, managing editor of Guinness World Records, remarked on the incredible diversity of experiences that Ben encountered during his museum marathon.
He also gently reminded everyone—whether locals or visitors—that London’s myriad treasures await discovery, perhaps best enjoyed at a more relaxed pace than the whirlwind tour Ben undertook.