The British Museum experienced overwhelming demand for tickets to its upcoming Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, with initial sales seeing tens of thousands of people join online queues. The 70-meter (230-foot) long masterpiece, which chronicles the Norman conquest of England in 1066, is on loan from its usual home in Bayeux, Normandy, while the French museum undergoes significant renovations.
This marks the first time the historic embroidery has been displayed on British soil. Over 65,000 individuals joined the virtual queue shortly after tickets became available on Wednesday morning. Some potential visitors reported long waits and technical issues, with requests timing out, while others successfully secured their spots.
The British Museum had anticipated significant interest, with its director, Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, describing the tapestry's visit as an "incredible event." He highlighted that the exhibition would allow the public to view the entire length of the tapestry, laid flat in a specially constructed glass case for conservation. This presentation will offer a rare opportunity to see the embroidery in one continuous line, a feat not possible for centuries.
The tapestry is scheduled to be transported from France via the Eurotunnel in the coming weeks. The exhibition will be open to the public for a 10-month period. [SOURCE1]