British Museum bans photography of Bayeux Tapestry to manage crowds

The British Museum has banned visitors from taking photographs of the Bayeux Tapestry to manage unprecedented crowds. While photography was initially permitted, the museum reversed the decision after visitors stopping to take pictures caused significant delays and disrupted the flow of the exhibition.

The 68-metre-long medieval embroidery, which depicts the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, is on loan from France for the first time in nearly 1,000 years. The exhibition, which opened in September, has seen massive demand, with tickets selling out through December and generating record-breaking revenue for the museum.

Visitors are currently guided through the display in a one-way system, with approximately 40 minutes allotted per group. The exhibition is scheduled to run until July 2027 before the artifact returns to Bayeux, France. The loan was facilitated through diplomatic efforts and is seen as a symbol of renewed cross-Channel ties.