British Museum boss 'sorry' for Bayeux Tapestry visitor issues

Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, has expressed regret over visitor experiences at the museum's popular Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. The London institution has announced alterations to manage visitor flow and enhance the experience. Cullinan apologized to those who had negative encounters and expressed intent to rectify the situation.

New measures include extended opening hours, an audio guide, extra seating, and improved signage. Some patrons waited up to two hours to view the exhibit, with ticket holders reportedly turned away due to backlogs during a private event. The museum team consulted with the Bayeux museum on queue management, but acknowledged the issue lies in visitors desiring extended viewing times, which exceeds allocated slots.

Despite facing criticism over accessibility due to the tapestry needing to be flat, Cullinan stated they did what they could given the constraints. The exhibition, which has sold over 100,000 tickets in its first week, is projected to reach 100,000 visitors by next week. While the Bayeux Tapestry is a loan from France, having returned to the UK for the first time since 1983, the loan runs until July 2027.