The British Museum has announced significant operational adjustments for its Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. This decision follows widespread visitor complaints about extensive queues and considerable overcrowding.
Measures include plans for longer opening hours, an audio guide, and additional seating. Clearer signage will also help guide visitors more effectively.
A museum spokesperson described public interest in the 11th-century embroidery as “extraordinary.” However, they admitted some visitors endured longer waits than anticipated.
Some individuals reported waiting up to two hours to enter the exhibition. Moreover, hundreds of ticket holders were reportedly turned away last week. This occurred when the museum closed early for a private event, creating backlogs.
Disappointed visitors voiced their frustration on social media. One person called the trip a “big event” they eagerly awaited. Another recounted waiting since childhood, only to be refused entry after queuing with a ticket.
The museum later issued apologies to those denied entry. They promised full refunds and priority booking for rescheduled visits.
From Monday, an audio guide will offer enhanced information about the embroidery. Additionally, improved signage and extra seating will benefit those queuing for the main exhibit.
The museum also aims to introduce extended opening hours. This move intends to prevent queue build-up and provide more viewing time for visitors with later bookings. Specific details regarding these hours remain unannounced.
Demand for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition has been exceptionally high since tickets launched in July. A record 100,000 tickets sold on the very first day.
Individuals who missed the initial ticket release will have two more opportunities. Further tickets go on sale in October and January.
Adult tickets cost £33 during peak times and £27 off-peak. This compares to approximately £10 (€12) to view the tapestry in its permanent home in Bayeux, Normandy. Children under 16 can visit the London exhibition free of charge.
The exhibition, which opened on September 10, has faced persistent issues with queues and congestion. Some visitors notably exceeded their allocated 40-minute viewing slot. Consequently, photography was banned, and a recorded message now encourages continuous movement through the one-way display.
The 70-metre-long artwork famously depicts 58 scenes. It outlines the pivotal events surrounding the 1066 Norman conquest of England, including the Battle of Hastings. The embroidery also illustrates the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in Britain.
Despite its common name, the work is technically an embroidery, not a tapestry. It features approximately 626 human figures and 200 horses.
The Bayeux Tapestry is on loan from the French government. It travelled from its long-term display location in Normandy, where it has resided since 1983. The exhibition runs until July 2027.
This loan marks the first time the tapestry has returned to the UK. It last visited over 900 years ago, shortly after its creation.
