[title]
One of the world’s most famous medieval masterpieces is returning to the UK for the very first time in 900 long years. Yep, the spectacular Bayeux Tapestry is coming home.
The 70-metre-long tapestry is an intricately embroidered depiction of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, in which William the Conquerer took the English throne, and it’ll go on temporary display at the British Museum next year. Most famously, it shows the moment that an arrow hit England’s King Harold right in the eye. It’s one of nearly 600 items around the world that are included in Unesco’s Memory of the World register.
For the last nine centuries, the tapestry has lived in France. It has been at the Bayeux Museum in the town of Bayeux in Normandy since 1983. In place of the tapestry, Normandy will be lent the Anglo-Saxon treasures of the Sutton Hoo ship burial that are currently on display at the British Museum, which includes Viking golden coins, a sword, a shield, and an iron helmet.
Britain has tried to loan the tapestry three times before, once in 1931, then in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and again in 1966 for the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings – but none of those requests were ever approved. So, this is a pretty major moment in Anglo-French history. Here’s everything we know so far.
When is the Bayeux Tapestry coming to the UK?
It’ll be on display in the British Museum’s Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery from September 2026 until July 2027.
How to get tickets
We don’t have any information yet on when the public will be able to get tickets to see the tapestry, but we suggest keeping an eye on the British Museum’s website. It could even be worth becoming a museum member, if you’re particularly keen to see it.
What is the significance of the Bayeux Tapestry?
Nicholas Cullinan, the director of the British Museum called the piece ‘one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France’.
He added: ‘It is hard to overstate the significance of this extraordinary opportunity of displaying it at the British Museum and we are profoundly grateful to everyone involved.
‘This will be the first time the Bayeux tapestry has been in the UK since it was made, almost 1,000 years ago. We are also delighted to send the Lewis chessmen, and some of our treasures from Sutton Hoo – the greatest archaeological discovery in Britain – to France in return.’
When was the Bayeux Tapestry last in the UK?
It’s not known for certain but it’s thought that the last time the tapestry was this side of the English Channel was back when it was made 900 years ago. Despite the tapestry’s name, most historians agree that it was embroidered in Canterbury, likely by nuns or upper class women.
Until then, discover the top 10 exhibitions on in London right now.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.