Best of 2025 … so far: ‘The ghosts are everywhere’: can the British Museum survive its omni-crisis?

The Audio Long Read

The Guardian

Society & Culture

4.3 • 2.4K Ratings

🗓️ 8 August 2025

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Every Wednesday and Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from March: beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the discovery of a thief on the inside, Britain’s No 1 museum is in deep trouble. Can it restore its reputation? By Charlotte Higgins. Read by Diveen Henry. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is The Guardian.
0:09.6	Bonjour, this is Julia Bradbury, and I've just been uncovering Normandy's hidden gems with Britney Ferries.
0:15.4	After one bite of the fresh French-themed cuisine on board, my holiday had started.
0:20.4	On land, there were retro sidecar
0:22.0	tours, barefoot hikes across shifting quicksands and even a visit to a bee farm. So with
0:27.9	adventures like these waiting, why settle for any old holiday? Uncover the Uncommon
0:32.9	with Brittany Ferries and discover more at Guardian.com forward slash uncommon holidays. This message was paid for by Brittany Ferries. And discover more at Guardian.com forward slash uncommon holidays. This message was paid for by Britney Ferries.
0:42.0	This podcast is brought to you by Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe.
0:48.0	With Wise, you can send, spend and receive up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps,
0:53.6	and save up to 75% compared to major banks.
0:57.2	Plus, Wise won't add hidden fees to your transfer.
1:00.2	Whether you're buying souvenirs with Rai's in Rio de Janeiro
1:03.0	or sending euros to a loved one in Paris,
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1:09.0	Be smart.
1:09.9	Join the 15 million customers who choose
1:11.9	Wise. Download the Wise app today or visit Wise.com. For more information, visit wise.com
1:17.3	slash GB. T's and C supply. Hello, my name is Claire Longerick, and I'm Deputy Editor of the Guardian Longreed.
1:36.9	This summer, we want to bring you our top picks of the years so far on the audio long read.
1:42.6	One of my absolute favourites is a profile of the British Museum by Charlotte Higgins,
1:48.0	our chief writer on arts and culture, and a great chronicler of institutions like the Tate,
1:53.0	the Houses of Parliament and even the Archers.
	...

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