BRITISH MUSEUM EXTENDS HOURS AFTER TAPESTRY QUEUE COMPLAINTS

The British Museum has announced changes to its Bayeux Tapestry exhibition after visitors complained of long queues and overcrowding, including waits of up to two hours. A museum spokesperson told reporters the public response to the exhibition had been "extraordinary" but acknowledged that some visitors had faced longer waits than intended. The changes follow an incident last week in which hundreds of ticket holders were turned away when the venue closed early for a private event. The museum has apologised to those affected and said they would receive full refunds along with priority slots to rebook for a rearranged time. Some ticket holders took to social media to describe their disappointment, including one visitor who said they had waited years for the chance to see the tapestry only to be turned away after queuing.

From Monday, the museum is introducing an audio guide offering additional historical detail, along with clearer signage explaining the introductory displays and extra seating for those queuing. The museum said it also plans to introduce longer opening hours to prevent queues building up during the day, though details of the revised hours have not yet been disclosed. The measures add to earlier steps taken inside the gallery, where staff have banned photography and introduced recorded announcements asking visitors to keep moving along the one-way route. Adult tickets cost £33 at peak times and £27 off-peak, compared with the usual €12 (£10) charge to see the tapestry at its home in Bayeux, Normandy, while children under 16 can visit free of charge.

Demand for the exhibition has been high since tickets went on sale in July, with a record 100,000 passes sold on the first day alone. Members of the public who missed out on tickets will have two further opportunities to secure entry when additional batches are released in October and January. The tapestry, on loan from Normandy, is on display in England for the first time since it was made more than 900 years ago. The exhibition opened on 10 September and is scheduled to run until July 2027.