Bayeux Tapestry visitors turned away as museum closes early

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 2 Oct, 13:25 · Archive

Hundreds of visitors with valid tickets were turned away from the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition after the British Museum closed early for a private corporate event.

The British Museum closed the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition early on Wednesday, preventing hundreds of ticket holders from entering. Visitors queued for up to an hour before being told they would not be admitted to see the medieval embroidery, which is on display in the UK for the first time.

The closure was made to accommodate a private corporate function sponsored by Samsung, held to mark the launch of the museum's Korea exhibition. Among those refused entry were visitors who had travelled from the United States specifically to view the 70-metre-long tapestry.

The Daily Mail reports that Chancellor John Healey attended a gala dinner at the event. The incident prompted the British Museum to issue a second apology to those affected.

The Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century embroidery depicting events in British history, attracted such large crowds that the museum struggled to manage visitor numbers during its limited display period.

How it is being reported

• Bayeux Tapestry visitors denied entry to make way for Chancellor’s dinnerEvening Standard · 2 Oct, 13:17
• Should we refuse to give the Bayeux tapestry back to France? Of course not! So why are we keeping the Parthenon marbles? | Simon JenkinsThe Guardian · 2 Oct, 13:00
• Hundreds of Bayeux Tapestry ticket holders turned away after British Museum closes early for corporate eventGB News · 2 Oct, 11:36
• Bayeux Tapestry fans are turned away by British Museum in favour of private gala dinner attended by Chancellor John HealeyDaily Mail · 2 Oct, 11:23
• Fuming Bayeux Tapestry fans ‘turned away in queue’ after exhibition closes earlyMetro · 1 Oct, 16:00

In this story: British Museum · Bayeux Tapestry · Samsung · John Healey · France · United States

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