The British Museum has apologised for difficulties experienced by some visitors attending its major exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry, following reports of lengthy queues, overcrowding and ticket holders being turned away. Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said the institution was sorry for visitors who had not had a positive experience and acknowledged the need to make adjustments as demand for the exhibition continues to be high.
In response, the museum is introducing several measures intended to improve the visitor experience, including longer opening hours, additional seating, clearer signage and an audio guide. Cullinan said that while the exhibition has attracted significant interest, visitors have often spent longer than the allocated 40-minute viewing period, creating pressure on subsequent time slots. The museum has also said it is reimbursing visitors who were turned away and is considering whether travel costs could also be addressed.
The Bayeux Tapestry, an approximately 70-metre-long embroidered work depicting events surrounding the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, is being displayed in the UK for the first time in more than 900 years. The exhibition is scheduled to remain at the British Museum until July 2027. With further tickets expected to be released in October and January, the museum’s latest measures are intended to accommodate continued public interest while maintaining access to the historic work.
