Bayeux Tapestry ticket holders stitched up by corporate event

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 2, 2026

The British Museum closed early on Wednesday to host a Samsung-sponsored private event, resulting in hundreds of ticket holders—some international—being denied entry to see the Bayeux Tapestry after waiting in line. The museum apologized, offered full refunds and rescheduled visits, but faced criticism for prioritizing the corporate event over pre-booked public visitors.

Hundreds of visitors hoping to view the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum on Wednesday were turned away after the museum closed earlier than scheduled to accommodate a private corporate event. Some ticket holders had waited in line for up to an hour before being denied entry, with reports indicating that several had traveled internationally for the opportunity, including visitors from the United States.

The museum attributed the early closure to a private event sponsored by Samsung, celebrating the launch of its Korea exhibition. A staff member familiar with the situation explained that the event took place in the museum’s Great Court, which made it impractical and unsafe to admit additional visitors once preparations had begun.

Among those denied entry was Nick White, a 58-year-old antique shop owner from East Sussex. White had a 2:30 p.m. ticket slot and said he had queued for an hour before staff informed those outside that the venue would no longer admit visitors. He estimated that between 200 and 300 ticket holders behind him were also turned away. White criticized the museum’s decision to prioritize the private event over pre-booked public visitors, stating that better communication should have been provided to those who had made the journey, some from considerable distances.

Tickets to view the tapestry, an 11th-century embroidery illustrating William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings, were priced at £33 for peak times. This contrasts with the usual €12 fee charged in Normandy, where the artifact is typically displayed. According to White, tensions grew among the crowd as frustration mounted, with some becoming confrontational.

A museum spokesperson acknowledged the disruption and apologized to those affected. The institution promised full refunds and offered to reschedule tickets at no additional cost. The spokesperson emphasized that the incident was isolated, attributing the necessity of the early closure to concerns over visitor safety amid the event's setup and thanking those impacted for their patience and understanding.

The museum indicated that the early closure was prompted by visitors exceeding their allotted 40-minute viewing times, which temporarily contributed to the lengthening queue. Nonetheless, the decision to prioritize the corporate event over scheduled visitors sparked criticism among those turned away.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.