UK

Man sets world record for most museums visited in 24 hours

Ben Melham whizzed his way around 42 sites in London in a single day.

A man has achieved a world record for most museums visited in a day (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)
A man has achieved a world record for most museums visited in a day (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)

A man has sped his way across London using a kick scooter to achieve a Guinness World Records title for the most museums visited in 24 hours.

Ben Melham, 42, whizzed his way around 42 museums including The Barbican Art Gallery, The British Museum, The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum on October 25.

Following verification from the world records team, he was recently declared a world record holder, beating the 33-museum feat achieved by Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Swaroop Dawrani in Delhi, India.

Mr Melham is a museum enthusiast (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)
Mr Melham is a museum enthusiast (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)

Mr Melham, who is from London and lives in Surrey, said: “Museums are essential to our understanding of who we are and where we come from.

“Through this record attempt, I hoped to raise awareness and inspire greater engagement with museums and the incredible collections they safeguard.”

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Mr Melham, who is a leading expert in the operation and sustainability of museums and cultural institutions, shows no signs of slowing down in his pursuit to encourage others to enjoy museums as much as he does.

Mr Melham hopes to achieve another museum focused world record over the coming months (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)
Mr Melham hopes to achieve another museum focused world record over the coming months (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)

He is at the halfway mark of another world record attempt – the most museums visited in a year.

Adam Millward, managing editor of Guinness World Records, said “Hundreds of thousands of visitors make a beeline to the British capital each year to immerse themselves in history, science, engineering, art and nature – as well as a few more delightfully esoteric collections.

Mr Melham visited 42 museums in a day (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)
Mr Melham visited 42 museums in a day (Ben Melham/Guinness World Records)

“With his record-setting 24-hour culture dash, Ben has highlighted the rich diversity of London’s museum landscape.

“It’s a reminder to locals and tourists alike that there’s always something new to explore and learn about, albeit ideally at a slightly less frantic pace than this record demanded of Ben.”