Bayeux Tapestry to return to the UK for first time in 900 years
The culture secretary Lisa Nandy, said: "The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most iconic pieces of art ever produced in the UK and I am delighted that we will be able to welcome it here in 2026. "The British Museum is one of the world's most visited museums and is a fitting place to host this most treasured piece of our nation's history."
The 70-metre-long giant embroidered image, which is more than 900-years-old, shows the well known battle which saw William The Conqueror take the English throne from Harold Godwinson, becoming the first Norman king of England.The tapestry is widely accepted to have been made in England during the 11th century after a bishop from Bayeux requested for it to be made.It's been on display in several locations across France since then, including the Bayeux Museum in Normandy most recently.
"The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations," said the director of the British Museum Nicholas Cullinan. "It is hard to overstate the significance of this extraordinary opportunity of displaying it at the British Museum."This will be the first time the Bayeux Tapestry has been in the UK since it was made, almost 1,000-years-ago."The tapestry will be displayed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery of the British Museum in September next year until July 2027.
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