British Museum hopes to end Bayeux Tapestry queue chaos with new changes

The British Museum will introduce changes to the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in an effort to end queueing chaos. The historic exhibition, a collaboration between French and British officials, has made headlines for issues with long queues and overcrowding. Some visitors have had to wait up to two hours, while hundreds of ticket holders were turned away because of a private corporate event sponsored by Samsung. Now, opening hours will be extended, with additional seating for those standing in the queue who need some relief. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The museum will also introduce clearer signs directing people to different parts of the exhibition and an audio guide after a blind man complained and threatened legal action against the institution. The British Museum will also introduce additional measures to manage the queue, but it has not announced them. The museum said: "The response to the Bayeux Tapestry has been extraordinary, and we are delighted by the excitement and interest it has generated. "We also know that some visitors have faced longer queues than we would have wanted, so we are introducing a series of measures … to make the experience smoother and give more people the time they need to enjoy the display." The changes will go into effect on Monday after being announced on Sunday. The exhibition is currently open from 10am to 6pm Sunday to Wednesday, and from 10am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday. The embroidery's French owners have placed strict restrictions on light exposure to help preserve the Bayeux Tapestry. The British Museum did not disclose how it would extend the hours while complying with the limits. ### THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY - READ MORE: - King and Queen join forces with Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron for historic night at British Museum - Hundreds of Bayeux Tapestry ticket holders turned away after British Museum closes early for corporate event - British Museum visitors turned away after tourists spend too long gawping at Bayeux Tapestry Visitors must stay within a 40-minute time slot while viewing the artwork depicting the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. A recorded message and staff members instruct visitors to keep moving to prevent people from gazing at the embroidery for too long. The show has already changed the gallery's rules since it opened on September 10. Phones were banned to prevent tourists from taking photos of the tapestry because it brought the movement within the gallery to a halt. Ticketholders have reported arriving at their dedicated time slot only to be told to wait for up to two hours in an area with no toilets or seating. Nick Bubnovich, 79, flew in from the US just to see the artwork. He arrived on time for his 1pm slot, made to wait for 50 minutes, and was only allowed to spend half an hour inside. "The leadership here sold way, way too many tickets," he told The Times. "It's crowded, and they tell you to move along, keep moving." "That's not the way you enjoy art. You would expect to get more time to take in the aspects." Sally-Ann Dennis, 71, said the queue "ruins the experience" because "everyone's getting a bit fractious, coughing and sneezing". Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter