Best of London special exhibitions at British Museum Bayeux Tapestry

That's probably a question best answered by Rick's tour office. Email them at: [email protected]

Yes, the tour office is the only one who can definitively answer, but I’d bet any money the answer is no. They have many departures of this tour, all of which visit the British Museum which is full of more famous treasures in its free permanent collection than anyone will have time to see in one afternoon. Is it likely that they would also purchase tickets to a pricey special exhibit, very popular and needing to be booked well in advance, for tour group members who may or may not have any interest in using them, for the departures of their tour coinciding with this particular exhibit, considering that at any time the BM will have one or more special exhibits going that require advance booking and admission charge?

Thank you very much for the replies! I guess I didn't think it through from a practical standpoint.

I just took the Best of London tour in May of this year (2026), yes, we went to the British Museum, and no, the extra paid exhibits would be on you. We were given ample time in the British Museum to explore on our own, but there is also some free time during the week, if you want to go on your own. It was a whirlwind of a tour, but so fun, and we loved every second of it. Keep in mind that this exhibit will probably be very popular, so you may want to get tickets in advance of your visit.

"Keep in mind that this exhibit will probably be very popular, so you may want to get tickets in advance of your visit."

Susan wrote what I was thinking while I was reading the responses! I would definitely get tickets ahead for this one. It is sure to be popular. I would do this on one of your pre or post-tour days.

I can't wait to see how they display it since I have seen it in Bayeux a few times.

Best answered by the RS office, but in our experience with 3 RS tours, you are always left with extra time after your group museum visit to explore more on your own. The office is so good about telling you what time your museum group experience will be finished so you can prebuy your tickets for the Tapestry or make any other plans for yourselves.

We were in Bayeux two years ago...I don't know why it didn't register that much with me ahead of time to make sure we saw it. I guess we had so many other things we were doing. On our last day, we walked over to the museum, bought tickets and there were about 4 people in there at the same time as us. It was really incredible. Very special. It was like having a private viewing, with all the time and space we wanted. Can't believe we could have missed it. It closed for renovations shortly after we visited.

I doubt very much that it will be included. The ticket price has been released now and it’s £33 per person. Demand will be very high. If you become a member of the British Museum you will get priority booking. Unusually, even members need to have prebooked tickets for this one.

Yes, Helen I saw on the website they are recommending setting up a ticketing profile beforehand to help with acquiring tickets. How is the cost of this exhibit being received? With the less than comfortable USD/ GBP exchange rate right now, it’s 45 USD pp. I have set up my ticketing profile, but we only have one day - right after it opens- to potentially see it, so I am not expecting to.

“and it’s £33 per person”

….Gulp….

The cost is as expected really. Most special exhibits are around £25 so it’s no surprise this is more than that. Nobody expects anything to be cheap these days.

There are Off Peak Hours when it is £27 and Super Off Peak (term time weekdays 1530 to 1620) when it is £25. From a quick read it isn't clear when 'Off Peak' is.

It would be interesting to know what the price is when the exhibition is in France.

"It would be interesting to know what the price is when the exhibition is in France."

I've seen it 3 times in France but always with a tour group paying so not sure. ChatGPT tells me the admission was 12E in 2025. Since the museum is currently closed for renovation there is no price listed. I am certain it will be more when it reopens next year.

And since the Louvre has gone up to 32E for non-citizens/non-residents of the EEA I should not even have gulped. However that is seeing a whole museum and not just one exhibition. I guess I haven't paid for an exhibition in London since about 2018 and saw a Monet or something at the National Gallery.