“The tapestry’s story is one of ambition and uncertainty, of oaths and journeys, of ships, councils, kings, comets and consequences, yet it is not merely an English story, nor only a Norman one. Indeed, from the moment of its creation, it may have brought together our two peoples,” said the King. “I cannot help but feel that its protagonists, on both sides of the Channel, would look with satisfaction on the Franco-British gathering here today, and be pleased that our two great nations, which share such fundamental values, have prospered together – across the tides of history,” he continued.
Curators at the British Museum have decided to exhibit the tapestry flat. Visitors entering the darkened gallery will see the tapestry displayed in a long, illuminated glass cabinet, allowing them to move alongside it as the story of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest unfolds.
To give more people across the country the opportunity to enjoy this unique piece of history, the British Museum has launched the Bayeux Around Britain programme. As well as online events – including a lecture on 25 September with exhibition curator Professor Michael Lewis and medievalist Professor Leonie Hicks – more than 60 museums and heritage sites will host a series of activities inspired by the exhibition.
To learn more about the activities, visit the dedicated page here.
How to get tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry
The 70-metre-long tapestry will be on view at the museum from September 2026 to July 2027 – and while the first batch of tickets (spanning 10 September to 31 December 2026) has sold out, tickets for 1 January–31 March 2027 will be available to purchase on 21 October 2026, with British Museum members getting priority booking from 6 October. Tickets for April–11 July will be released in early 2027. There are no walk-in tickets, so advance booking is essential to see this historic exhibition.
According to the British Museum, the next block of bookings will open up later in the year. You can sign up for the venue’s newsletter to get specific release dates – since tickets sold out within 24 hours last time, demand is expected to be very high.
Find out more about the exhibition via the British Museum here.