The British Museum has introduced changes to the visitor experience for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition following concerns over lengthy queues and overcrowding.
The new measures include plans for extended opening hours, as well as an audio guide, additional seating, and improved signage.
A museum spokesperson said the public response to the 11th-century embroidery had been “extraordinary,” while acknowledging that some visitors had experienced longer waits than expected.
Several visitors reported waits of up to two hours, and hundreds of ticket holders were reportedly turned away when the museum closed early last week for a private event.
Some affected visitors expressed their frustration on social media. One said the trip had been a long-awaited “big event,” while another described waiting since the age of seven to see the tapestry, only to be turned away after queuing with a ticket.
The museum later apologised to those who were unable to enter and said they would receive refunds, along with priority booking slots for a later visit.
From Monday, visitors will be offered an audio guide providing more context about the embroidery, while extra signage and seating will be provided for people waiting to enter the main exhibition.
The museum said it also planned to introduce longer opening hours to help prevent queues from building throughout the day and to give visitors with later bookings more time to view the exhibition.
Details of the extended hours have not yet been released.