Why you are not allowed to take pictures of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum

The Bayeux Tapestry is officially here, on British soil, for the first time in 900 years. The medieval masterpiece (‘an action comic realised in millennium-old cloth,’ as our critic put it) is now on display at the British Museum and thousands of visitors have been pulling their phones out to capture the once-in-a-lifetime moment and prove they saw the piece with their own eyes. But future visitors won’t get that same opportunity: the museum has now banned visitors from taking up-close photos of the Bayeux Tapestry.

To ensure that as many people get a chance to see the tapestry as possible, the British Museum admits ticket holders at 40-minute intervals. Staff and a pre-recorded message are both on hand to keep the crowds moving along the 70-metre artefact. But in the first week of the exhibition many have been overstaying their welcome, because they’re too busy taking pictures. And it has meant that others with tickets to see the exhibition have lost out. So, photography is no longer permitted.

The ban comes after several people reported being turned away after previous groups took too long in their time slots. Those who had tickets for the last slot of the day said that they only got halfway down the artefact when the lights (which are switched on for limited hours to protect the material) were turned off. 

The museum said: ‘There has been enormous interest in viewing the tapestry, and our priority is to ensure that all visitors have the best experience possible. In order to do this, we have made the decision to restrict photography while people are moving along the length of the tapestry.

‘We have been planning in earnest and have extensive measures in place to try to manage visitor flow, but we recognise that some visitors have waited longer than we would have wanted. We apologise to those affected. We will be contacting them directly.’

While you can’t take pictures of the artwork up close anymore, visitors are still allowed to snap shots from the upper level of the exhibition, from which you can look down and see the tapestry in its entirety. 

Don’t have tickets to the Bayeux Tapestry yet? There will be more chances. While tickets for September to December are all sold out, another batch for January to March will be released on October 21. Read more about how to get Bayeux Tapestry tickets here. 

ICYMI: 5 unmissable artworks you can see for free at Frieze Sculpture 2026. 

Plus: The 8 London museum exhibitions we’re most excited about this autumn. 

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