Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - The British Museum has banned visitors from taking photographs of the Bayeux Tapestry, just days after the highly anticipated exhibition opened in London.
The nearly 1,000-year-old, 70-metre-long embroidery has attracted huge crowds since going on display, with the museum introducing the restriction after visitors stopping to take pictures began slowing the flow of people through the exhibition.
Visitors are admitted in timed groups and move in one direction along the length of the artwork, with each visit lasting about 40 minutes. The museum said photography was restricted to ensure that everyone could have a reasonable viewing experience.
The decision came after reports that delays caused by visitors taking photographs left some ticket holders with limited time to see the entire artwork. Photography from the upper level, where visitors can view the tapestry from a distance, remains possible.
The exhibition marks the tapestry's first display in Britain in almost 1,000 years and is scheduled to run until July 2027. Tickets are currently sold out through December, highlighting the extraordinary demand to see the medieval artwork.
The museum's sudden change in photography rules has nevertheless generated frustration among some visitors, particularly those who expected to take personal photographs after the original policy allowed non-flash photography.
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