RECORD-SETTING MUSEUM HOPPING: Man visits 42 museums in less than 12 hours

International

A BRITISH man has set a new Guinness World Record for the most museums visited in a 24-hour period, completing an impressive 42 visits in just under 12 hours.

Ben Melham, 42, achieved this remarkable feat last October, starting at the Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in East London at 9:03 a.m. and concluding his whirlwind tour at the Royal Academy of Arts at 7:58 p.m.

Throughout the day, Melham toured a wide variety of museums, from famous institutions like the Natural History Museum and the Tower of London, to lesser-known spots like the Sir John Soane’s Museum.

His accomplishment surpassed the previous record by a significant margin, with the former record holders, Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Swaroop Dawrani from India, having visited 33 museums in one day earlier in 2024.

Melham, who works as an operations consultant in the museum sector, was inspired to attempt the record after discussing it with his children.

After reading a Guinness World Records book together, his kids challenged him to take action, sparking his decision to embark on the challenge.

He chose London due to its rich array of museums, noting that each visit offers a chance to connect with history, culture, and nature.

Since setting the record, Melham has continued his museum tours, aiming to break the record for the most museums visited in a year.

By the end of January 2025, he had already visited 85 museums, sharing his journey on social media platforms like Instagram and Bluesky.

For Melham, museums are not just places of learning—they are spaces where we can reflect on the past, engage with the present, and imagine the future.(CMM)