Witness The Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold Exhibition in London 2026

Some exhibitions are worth seeing because they're beautifully curated. Others are worth seeing because you may never get another chance.

Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold at NEON, Battersea Power Station is firmly in the second category. Running until August 30, 2026, this landmark exhibition brings together 180 original Ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the coffin of Ramses II himself, many of which will return permanently to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza once the world tour ends.

This is the final stop of the exhibition's international tour after successful runs in Tokyo, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. It is also the first and only time these artefacts have been displayed in the UK.

If you've ever wanted to stand just a few feet away from objects created more than 3,000 years ago, this is your opportunity.

Why this exhibition is such a rare opportunity

Many travelling exhibitions feature replicas or reproductions. This one doesn’t.

Every object on display is an original artefact on official loan from Egypt's museums, presented with the approval of Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Once the exhibition closes in London, these treasures will return permanently to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, where they will become part of Egypt's long-term national collection.

That means many of these objects are unlikely to travel internationally again.

For anyone interested in history, archaeology or Ancient Egypt, this is a once in a lifetime exhibition.

Who was Ramses the Great?

Even if you know very little about Ancient Egypt, you've probably heard of Ramses II.

Often referred to as Ramses the Great, he ruled Egypt for nearly 67 years during the 13th century BC and is widely regarded as one of the greatest pharaohs in history.

His reign was defined by enormous building projects, military victories, diplomacy and political influence.

He commissioned famous monuments including Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum, fathered more than 100 children and signed what historians consider the world's first recorded peace treaty following the Battle of Kadesh.

His influence was so significant that nine later pharaohs adopted the name Ramses in tribute to him.

The exhibition follows his life from prince to warrior, ruler and one of history's most recognisable leaders.

See 180 original artefacts from Ancient Egypt

The exhibition brings together one of the largest collections of Egyptian artefacts ever shown in London.

Alongside displaying the objects, the galleries explain how they were used, who they belonged to and what they reveal about daily life, religion and royal power more than three millennia ago.

Among the highlights is the original cedar wood coffin of Ramses II, one of the exhibition's biggest attractions and the first time it has been displayed in Britain.

You'll also see the spectacular gold funerary mask of King Amenemope, decorated with lapis lazuli and carnelian, alongside the equally impressive funerary mask of General Wendjebauendjed.

Large stone sculptures, royal sarcophagi, jewellery, carved statues, sacred amulets and beautifully preserved animal mummies all help build a detailed picture of life during Ancient Egypt's golden age.

The exhibition also explores the lives of Queen Nefertari, Ramses' mother Tuya, his son Khaemwaset and his successor Merenptah, giving you a broader understanding of one of Egypt's most influential royal families.

The exhibition uses technology to bring Ancient Egypt to life

Although the artefacts are the main attraction, the experience also includes several optional interactive elements that add more context.

One of the most popular is the optional virtual reality experience.

Using motion chairs and VR headsets, you'll travel through the temples of Abu Simbel and Queen Nefertari's tomb in an immersive 360 degree journey. The experience is suitable for ages eight and above and can be added when booking your ticket.

History broadcaster Dan Snow also narrates an optional audio guide, available in six languages, offering deeper insight into many of the artefacts and historical events featured throughout the exhibition.

One gallery recreates the famous Battle of Kadesh through large scale projections and multimedia displays, explaining how Ramses' army fought the Hittites before negotiating what is widely recognised as history's earliest known peace treaty.

Families can also enjoy interactive features including a robot that writes your name in hieroglyphics on authentic Egyptian papyrus, while younger visitors can follow The Pharaoh's Quest using their own smartphone as they move through the exhibition.

For a limited period, Horrible Histories also takes over part of the exhibition with a family-friendly experience exploring the Awesome Egyptians through the series' signature humour.

What the experience is actually like

You can move through the exhibition at a comfortable pace, with most people spending between 60 and 75 minutes inside.

The galleries are arranged chronologically, making it easy to follow Ramses' life while gradually introducing the wider history of Ancient Egypt.

Information panels are concise and easy to read, while the combination of monumental statues, jewellery, coffins and multimedia displays keeps the experience varied throughout.

The Battle of Kadesh section stands out as one of the strongest uses of technology, while the final gallery featuring Ramses' coffin delivers one of the exhibition's most memorable moments.

It feels less like walking through a traditional museum and more like following the story of one extraordinary ruler through objects that have survived for thousands of years.

Getting to NEON at Battersea Power Station

The exhibition is held at NEON, located beside Battersea Power Station in southwest London.

The easiest way to get there is via Battersea Power Station Underground Station on the Northern line, which is around a five minute walk from the venue.

You can also arrive by Uber Boat via Battersea Power Station Pier, several London bus routes or National Rail services to Battersea Park and Queenstown Road stations.

Parking is available at Battersea Power Station, although public transport is generally the easiest option.

Quick information

Exhibition: Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold
Venue: NEON at Battersea Power Station, London
Dates: 28 February to 30 August 2026
Duration: 60 to 75 minutes
Price: From £20.84
Suitable for: Ages 5+, with VR recommended for ages 8+
Tickets: Click here to book

The combination of original artefacts, thoughtful storytelling and immersive technology makes this one of London's standout cultural exhibitions of 2026.

More importantly, it offers something very few exhibitions can honestly promise. That makes this your only opportunity in the UK to see these artefacts in person.

London

Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold: The Exhibition

The Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold Exhibition in London showcases 180 original Egyptian artefacts before they return to Egypt forever.

£20.84

Book now