People stopping for pictures had been slowing the queue past the 70m embroidery, and some ticket holders said they were turned away in the first week.
Visitors to the British Museum’s Bayeux exhibition can no longer take photographs as they walk along the embroidery. The museum says people stopping for pictures were holding up everyone behind them.
Photography was permitted when the show opened on 10 September. By the following day the museum’s website carried a notice saying it was not allowed, and the museum has now explained the change in a statement.
A spokesperson said interest had been enormous and that “our priority is to ensure that all visitors have the best experience possible”. Pictures are now restricted while visitors move along the length of the work.
The 70m embroidery shows the Norman conquest of England. It was made nearly 1,000 years ago, and this is the first time it has ever come to Britain. Demand for tickets has been unprecedented. On the day they went on general sale, a record 100,000 were bought and the first batch was gone within hours. About one million people are expected to visit before the exhibition ends on 11 July 2027.
Visitors are let in for 40-minute slots. Staff, backed by an automated announcement, ask people to keep moving past the flat display case that holds all 58 scenes. A standard ticket costs £33.
During the first week there were accounts of ticket holders being refused entry because earlier visitors had spent too long taking photographs. People booked into the final slot of the day said the lights went out when they were only halfway along.
The lighting can only be on for a set number of hours under the terms of the loan, to protect the material. Those caught up in the disruption have been offered a refund or a new booking.
No. Photography was allowed on opening day, 10 September, but the museum has since restricted it while visitors move along the display case.
Visitors are admitted in 40-minute time slots.
A standard ticket costs £33.
It closes on 11 July 2027.
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