- Tens of thousands rushed for tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, with reports of up to 80,000 people waiting online by mid-afternoon.
- The public faced online queues of up to nine hours when tickets went on sale for the first time.
- This exhibition represents a once in a 1,000-year chance to see the tapestry in England, making it a sell-out show.
- The Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum will run from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027.
- Tickets are priced between £25 and £33 depending on the day and time of the visit, with under-16s visiting for free when accompanied by an adult.
- The British Museum expects huge demand for the exhibition, with its director stating that tickets would be in high demand.
Tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum, set to run from September 2026 to July 2027, went on sale on July 1, 2026, and saw unprecedented demand.125
By mid-afternoon, reports indicated that up to 80,000 people were waiting in online queues, with some facing waits of up to nine hours to secure their tickets.3
The museum had anticipated this surge, stating it expected "huge demand" for the tapestry, which is returning to England for the first time in nearly 1,000 years.8
Adult tickets are priced at £33 during peak times and £27 off-peak, with under-16s visiting for free when accompanied by an adult.67
The British Museum could potentially generate over £8.6 million from the exhibition, which features the tapestry depicting the 1066 Norman conquest of England.
Museum director Nicholas Cullinan emphasized the importance of conservation, stating that the tapestry will be displayed laid flat in one long line, allowing visitors to appreciate its full length.
For those who missed out on the initial ticket release, additional tickets will be available in October and January for further access to this historic artwork.
“Tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum are generating unprecedented demand, with reports of online queues lasting up to nine hours. The exhibition, marking a rare opportunity to see the tapestry in England, is set to open in September 2026.”
The Guardian
BBC
