By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-26 00:29:07 | Updated at 2026-09-27 04:02:29
1 day ago
Bayeux Tapestry visitors have been turned away amid chaotic queues.
The British Museum has now been forced to apologise as an "unprecedented demand" for the exhibition has cut some visits short.
The embroidery, which tells the story of the Norman conquest, opened to the public on September 10, with tickets sold out for the rest of the calendar year.
One visitor, John Wilson, told The Times he arrived for his 4.20pm entry time on Wednesday, but was made to wait more than two hours before he could even reach the first panel.
Just 20 minutes later museum staff turned all gallery lights off and ordered visitors to leave.
Many visitors remained in the queue and were unable to enter the gallery at all.
Visitors have been banned from taking photographs in an attempt to keep people moving.
Entrants to the gallery are given a 40-minute time limit because of strict rules around light exposure given by the French as a condition of its loan to the British Museum.
Visitors have had to wait up to two hours before entering the Bayeux Tapestry gallery
PA
Professor Michael Lewis, the British Museum's lead curator, previously admitted the 11th-century artwork was "compelling viewing", adding that some people become "so entranced" they do not move down the 68-metre embroidery.
Mr Wilson suggested those who had morning tickets may have a better experience.
He said: "At least that gives you the chance that the lights won't go off."
He also believes some tourists are exceeding their 40-minute windows, but conceded that "when you have been queueing for so long why would you scurry through".
The British Museum said 'unprecedented demand' for the exhibition has resulted chaotic queues
PA
Michael Hallihane, with a morning ticket time of 11.40am, waited 50-minutes before his entry, he told The Times.
He said he was "constantly" told to keep moving by both museum staff and automated messages in English and French.
"I was so annoyed," he said. "It is just like a conveyor belt.
"It does detract from the experience of what is a really fantastic artefact."
The British Museum said it hoped to strike a balance between adhering to its loan agreement and providing a pleasant experience to visitors.
It said: "We have seen unprecedented demand for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition and our priority is to enable as many people to see it as possible, while maintaining our commitment to the best possible visitor experience.
"We have been planning in earnest and have extensive measures in place to try to manage visitor flow, but we recognise that some visitors have waited longer than we would have wanted.
"We apologise to those affected. We will be contacting them directly."
