British Museum bans photos of Bayeux Tapestry as tickets sell out
The ban follows crowding concerns; the exhibition opened on 10 September 2026 and will stay until 11 July 2027
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The British Museum told visitors on 24 September 2026 that taking pictures of the Bayeux Tapestry is no longer allowed. The decision was explained as a measure to keep the flow of visitors moving along the 70‑metre display, according to a museum spokesperson quoted by MyLondon.
Reason for the photography ban
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Curators had initially permitted photographs, but staff observed that people stopping to snap images were creating bottlenecks. The museum said the restriction aims to give every ticket‑holder a smoother experience. The spokesperson added that the high visitor numbers required swift action.
Ticket demand and revenue
When general admission tickets went on sale in July, the museum recorded its biggest single‑day sales ever. MyLondon reported that more than £2.4 million was raised in the first 24 hours after the exhibition opened on 10 September 2026. The rapid sell‑out left no tickets available until the next batch on 21 October 2026.
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There has been enormous interest in viewing the tapestry, and our priority is to ensure that all visitors have the best experience possible.
British Museum spokesperson
Exhibition schedule
The Bayeux Tapestry arrived in the UK for the first time in almost a millennium and began its display at the British Museum on 10 September 2026. Michael Lewis, one of the four curators, described the work as a “really precious work of art” in comments to the Press Association, also cited by MyLondon. The tapestry will stay on view until 11 July 2027, after which it returns to its home museum in Bayeux, Normandy.
Visitors who missed the current ticket release can watch for the next allocation on 21 October 2026. The museum advises planning ahead and respecting the new photography rule to avoid further disruptions.
Questions this report answers
+Why has the museum stopped photography of the tapestry?
The museum said visitors stopping to take pictures were causing queues that slowed the flow along the 70‑metre display. The ban is intended to let all ticket‑holders move through the exhibition more efficiently, according to a museum spokesperson reported by MyLondon.
+How much revenue did the exhibition generate on its first day?
More than £2.4 million in ticket sales were recorded in the first 24 hours after the exhibition opened on 10 September 2026. MyLondon noted this as the museum’s highest single‑day sales figure to date.
+When does the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition close?
The tapestry will remain on display at the British Museum until 11 July 2027. After that date it will travel back to the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in Normandy, as stated in the museum’s exhibition information.
+When can I buy tickets for the exhibition?
All tickets are sold out until a new release scheduled for 21 October 2026. The museum advises prospective visitors to monitor its website for the next allocation and to book as soon as tickets become available.
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