Home / Arts and Entertainment / MP Slams Museum's 'Shambolic' Tapestry Ticket System
MP Slams Museum's 'Shambolic' Tapestry Ticket System
21 Oct
Summary
- Hastings residents faced hours on hold for Bayeux Tapestry tickets.
- VIPs and celebrities accessed the tapestry via exclusive events.
- MP calls for system fix before allowing 'queue jumpers'.
Hastings residents in "1066 Country" experienced significant difficulties obtaining tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition due to a problematic phone booking system. MP Helena Dollimore reported that her constituents were placed on hold for hours, with one person waiting over two and a half hours to secure a ticket. This contrasts sharply with VIP guests, including celebrities and business leaders, who reportedly had unimpeded access to the tapestry through exclusive balls and dinners held since September.
Dollimore expressed frustration, questioning why her constituents must contend with a "glitchy" phone line when online booking appears accessible to others. She noted instances where constituents were denied entry due to corporate events, despite assurances of early access for the local population. The MP herself was unable to secure tickets for her family.
The British Museum acknowledged the high demand, explaining that the offer of early access to residents was not guaranteed and operated on a first-come, first-served basis, similar to general sales. They advised that residents still have opportunities to book tickets during the general sale on October 21, 2026, and in the new year with a third release.
This situation arose as the 70-meter linen tapestry, depicting events of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, arrived in the UK for the first time in nearly a millennium. Ticket prices for the exhibition range from £27 to £33, significantly higher than the €12 fee at its home in Bayeux, Normandy.
