To go earlier than my timed ticket

[Hominim]

Made a mess up buying times tickets to an exhibition in London tomorrow and need to go earlier. Do they check the time you’re meant to enter when they scan the QR codes at galleries and museums?

Yes

Yes, they check. Depending on the venue and how busy it is, they might let you through. But if there's a ticket desk I'd go there and plead!

I guess you won’t know until you get there. I’d say your chances are much lower on a Saturday though. Is there any possibility of changing the time?

Yes, they'll check the ticket and scan it.
You might be ok .It's worth a try.
It depends whether the time when you want to go is fully booked.

How much earlier though? I have arrived for an exhibition before, and after my timed ticket, and have encountered no issues.

My ticket is at 1500 it’s sold out until then so I might chance it but prepare to be told to go away

I’ve done it a few times - arrived an hour early or so- and it’s been fine.

Depends where. Royal Collections Trust and larger galleries tend to be very strict but others may give a bit of leeway.

British museum

They will let you into the British Museum any time, so you can definitely get in there. Then go to the exhibition desk and super politely explain that you mixed up your time when you booked the tickets and would be super grateful if they could see their way to letting you in early. Sometimes they will, sometimes they won’t. If they say no, have a look at the rest of the Museum while you wait.

I’d go. If they can they will more than likely let you in. If they can’t then they can’t.

You made a mistake? Or did you see that the times you wanted were sold out and decided to chance it by buying a later ticket and then going early?

No - I bought the tickets about a month ago for my son’s bday. I ballsed up the timings and have only realised today.

They check but I’ve also been able to get in earlier. Must depend on how busy it is inside, or discretion of gate staff.

How much earlier do you need to get in? Up to about half an hour no-one is going to bother stopping you really (unless completely rammed). Much over an hour you might encounter a problem.
Up to an hour I'd probably just try going in. More I'd ask at the desk if they were OK with it.