Mary Beard, a trustee of the British Museum and well-known classicist, has personally inspected visitor queues at the institution amid public complaints about extended waiting times to see the Bayeux tapestry. The tapestry, which has returned to England after spending roughly a millennium in France, has drawn significant crowds, resulting in long delays and some visitors being turned away without guaranteed re-entry.
Beard, 71, spoke with people waiting in line and subsequently proposed several improvements to the museum's handling of the exhibition. She acknowledged the enthusiasm surrounding the display but noted the need for practical adjustments, including the addition of more seating and clearer information about wait times. Beard described the atmosphere as generally positive, with visitors traveling from various locations, but emphasized that “teething troubles” were to be expected due to the exhibition’s unique nature, as everyone is drawn to view a single artifact.
The British Museum has already announced measures aimed at reducing queues and enhancing the visitor experience. These include extended opening hours, the introduction of a new audio guide to encourage steady movement along the tapestry, and the installation of additional signage and seating throughout the viewing area.
Demand for tickets has been exceptionally high since they first went on sale this summer, with reports of online queues lasting up to nine hours. On peak days, visitor numbers reportedly reached around 40,000 by mid-morning and nearly doubled to 80,000 by mid-afternoon. The next release of public tickets is scheduled for 21 October at 10 a.m. Adult ticket prices are set at £33 during peak hours and £27 during off-peak times, a significant increase compared to the usual admission fee of around £12 to view the tapestry in Bayeux, Normandy.
The exhibition has also attracted some controversy after news emerged that tech billionaire Peter Thiel was granted a private viewing before the public opening on 18 August. Thiel’s company, Palantir, has been the subject of debate due to its involvement with the British government. The museum’s chair, George Osborne, addressed the issue, stating that the event was not widely known beforehand and that no financial contribution had been made by Thiel to the museum in exchange for the private tour. He noted that any potential offers would be carefully weighed by the board, considering both financial benefits and reputational risks.
A spokesperson for the British Museum expressed appreciation for the public’s strong interest in the tapestry while acknowledging that some visitors had experienced longer waits than anticipated. The museum reiterated its commitment to implementing changes that will improve access and allow more people sufficient time to appreciate the historic embroidery.