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Seeing the Bayeux Tapestry in London

Hello,

I'm really hoping I can make it work out to take one child to England, and I can make a whole post about that when I'm ready, but I wondered if those of you who are more in the know, have heard anything about how busy/crowded or hard to get tickets to the British museum while it's on display. I've read the British Museum's website and I know it emphasized school children's opportunity to see it. Are people anticipating the autumn will be the busiest? Or it will just be busy for the duration of its time in London (this is what I suspect).

It's a bit of a disappointment to miss it when I'm in Bayeux this October (I did know that it would be off display) and London next May (with a different child). This trip would be to let one of my sons see Stonehenge, which he's always wanted to see, and hopefully heavy on the Lake District.

Sorry so rambly.

Posted by
1501 posts

It's easy for me to suggest you go see it no matter how busy it gets; since we saw it in Bayeux last spring with a crowd of less than 20 people. But, it's not like trying to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre with everyone clamoring for one spot and then standing in front of it; blocking it for others. It's massively long and in Bayeux you can listen to the audio for a descriptive segment then keep moving down the line for the next segment. I'm sure it will be set up in some similar fashion in Britain.

Posted by
5285 posts

I've been searching for more info as well but it appears it's still too early. My guess is that advanced tickets will be required and there will be a cost. I've based that on reading between the lines on the Museum's website that says that the permanent collection is free and when I try and book one of the current special exhibitions there is a charge; one is £49. I bet they won't have a problem selling out tickets no matter what they charge for the tapestry. My understanding it will be the focus of a large exhibition featuring Norman and Anglo Saxon history.

Posted by
175 posts

Thank you KD and Allan!

I'll keep on pursuing this trip, then.