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Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opens
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The gist
The Bayeux Tapestry went on public display at the British Museum on 10 September 2026.
The nearly 1,000-year-old embroidery is in England for the first time in almost a.
Background
The nearly 70-metre-long embroidery depicts the events leading to the Norman Conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. France loaned it to Britain while its usual home in northern France is being refurbished, and in return French museums will display England's Sutton Hoo collection. The exhibition is part of a bilateral season of culture between the UK and France and runs until 11 July 2027.
How it unfolded
- Jul 10, 2026The tapestry arrived at the British Museum in London after a secret English Channel crossing, delivered in the early hours of the morning.
- Summer 2026The first batch of tickets sold out within hours, generating sales of £2.5 million, with over 80,000 people at a time waiting online to buy them.
- Sep 10, 2026The exhibition opened to the public at the British Museum, with ticket holders allotted 40 minutes to view the tapestry from above on a bridge before viewing the stitching up close.
Who’s saying what
- Public
- Visitor Pauline Gairey, 53, a finance professional who travelled from Wales, said it was 'just magical' and 'so wonderful to have it visible in the UK'.
- Analysts
- Media coverage describes the opening as a major cultural event, with Reuters calling it 'Bayeux mania' and the New York Times referring to a nation gripped by 'Bayeux fever'.