British Museum bans photography of Bayeux Tapestry to ease queues

The British Museum has banned visitors from photographing the Bayeux Tapestry after people stopping to take pictures caused long queues and delayed access to the sold-out exhibition, Reuters reported.

Curators initially permitted photography, but the museum reversed the decision to keep visitors moving through the display. Groups are admitted every 40 minutes and must follow a one-way route along the 68-metre (230-foot) artwork.

Why photography was restricted

A British Museum spokeswoman said the decision was made because of the “enormous interest” in the exhibition and the need to ensure visitors have the best possible experience.

“In order to do this, we have made the decision to restrict photography while people are moving along the length of the tapestry,” she said.

First British display in centuries

The 11th-century work depicts events leading up to the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Despite its name, it is not technically a tapestry but an embroidery made in England.

The artefact is on loan from Normandy, France, and will remain in London until July 2027. The British Museum has displayed it in a straight line, rather than the horseshoe-shaped gallery used in Bayeux.

The loan was confirmed after a Franco-British summit in 2025, following years of planning. Under the agreement, the British Museum is covering the relocation costs, while the UK government is providing insurance.

The embroidery was transported in a climate-controlled crate under police escort during the unprecedented 350-mile (560-kilometre) journey to central London.

Tickets sold out until the end of the year

Some prospective visitors have criticised ticket prices, which can be as much as three times higher than the cost of visiting the Bayeux Tapestry in France. The museum said the prices help cover exhibition expenses.

Tickets are sold out through 31 December, although additional tickets are expected to go on sale in October. Full-scale replicas can be viewed free of charge at Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire and at Reading Museum.