The British Museum has banned visitors from taking photographs of the Bayeux Tapestry, a historic medieval embroidery, due to concerns that the process of photographing the artwork was causing delays for other visitors. Initially, photography was allowed, but museum officials reversed the decision after long queues began to form, holding up ticket-holders who wanted to view the piece. The Bayeux Tapestry, which is on display in Britain for the first time, tells the story of the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is currently on loan from Normandy, France, and will remain in London until July 2027. To manage the high demand, the museum is allowing visitors into the exhibition in groups every 40 minutes, with instructions to move continuously along the 68-meter (230-foot) piece in one direction. However, people stopping to take photos were slowing the flow and delaying those who came after them. A museum spokeswoman explained that the decision to restrict photography was made to ensure the best experience for all visitors. The tapestry, which is not technically a tapestry but an embroidered piece from the 11th century, is displayed in a straight line in London, unlike its horseshoe-shaped display in Bayeux, France. The loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum was confirmed after a Franco-British summit in 2025, following years of planning. The British Museum is funding the move, while the UK government is providing insurance. The artwork was carefully packed in a climate-controlled crate and transported with a police escort on a 350-mile (560km) journey from Normandy to London. Some visitors have criticized the high ticket prices, which are up to three times the cost of seeing the tapestry in France. Despite the high demand and the cost of tickets, which are sold out until the end of the year, the museum expects to release more tickets in October. For those who cannot visit the original, a full-scale replica of the Bayeux Tapestry is available to see for free at Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire and at Reading Museum.