Somerset House Escher exhibition overcrowded, visitors report long queues
A major retrospective of MC Escher’s work runs until 6 September but high demand has led to two-hour waits for key installations
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A major exhibition of MC Escher’s work at Somerset House has drawn complaints from visitors over severe overcrowding, with queues of up to two hours for its most popular interactive installation. The retrospective, which runs until 6 September, features over 150 works, including iconic pieces such as *Relativity* (1953), *Day and Night* (1938) and *Hand with Reflecting Sphere* (1935).
Attendees reported that high demand has led to cramped conditions in the Embankment Galleries, with some galleries so crowded that visitors could not view exhibits properly. Julie Hamill, writing for *On London*, described arriving to find the first room impossible to navigate and the queue for the *Relativity* experience stretching to two hours. The exhibition’s immersive installations, designed to let visitors engage with Escher’s optical illusions, have become difficult to access due to the volume of attendees.
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Rushed experiences and missed exhibits
Hamill, a long-time admirer of Escher’s work, said she and her companions skipped the first room entirely due to overcrowding. They later abandoned plans to experience *Relativity*, the installation based on the artist’s most famous print, after seeing the queue. She described the atmosphere as "baking hot and stuffy", with visitors pressed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Other interactive exhibits, such as the mirrored projection space and the installation based on *Hand with Reflecting Sphere*, were more accessible but still subject to time pressure. Hamill wrote that she was hurried away from *Print Gallery* (1956) by visitors queuing behind her, preventing her from fully engaging with the work. She said the experience left her feeling "genuinely gutting", as she had hoped to spend time studying the details of Escher’s intricate designs.
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The exhibition I’d come to stare at the longest was the one where I felt most rushed because it had been so thoroughly oversold.
Julie Hamill, writing for On London
No changes announced to ticketing
Somerset House has not responded to reports of overcrowding or indicated whether it will adjust ticket allocations or capacity limits. The exhibition remains open daily, with timed entry slots available for booking. Visitors have advised arriving early or choosing off-peak times to avoid the worst crowds.
Escher’s work, known for its mathematical precision and impossible perspectives, has long held popular appeal. The exhibition at Somerset House includes both original prints and interactive installations designed to let visitors step into his surreal worlds. However, the high demand has highlighted the challenges of balancing accessibility with visitor experience in a limited space.
What happens next
The exhibition will continue until 6 September, with no indication of extended hours or additional capacity. Visitors planning to attend are advised to book tickets in advance and arrive at their allocated time to minimise waiting. Somerset House has not commented on whether it will review its ticketing policy in response to feedback.
Questions this report answers
+How long is the queue for the Relativity experience at the Escher exhibition?
Visitors have reported waiting up to two hours for the *Relativity* interactive installation at Somerset House. The queue has deterred some attendees from experiencing it at all due to time constraints.
+When does the Escher exhibition at Somerset House close?
The exhibition runs until 6 September. Somerset House has not announced any plans to extend it, so visitors must attend before that date to see the works.
+Why is the Escher exhibition so crowded?
High demand for the exhibition has led to overcrowding, with visitors reporting limited space in galleries and long queues for interactive installations. Somerset House has not adjusted ticket allocations to reduce numbers.
+What are the most famous works in the Escher exhibition?
The exhibition includes over 150 works, with highlights such as *Relativity* (1953), *Day and Night* (1938) and *Hand with Reflecting Sphere* (1935). These pieces are among Escher’s most recognisable and popular.
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