Bayeux Tapestry arrives at British Museum for first English display in centuries

The Bayeux Tapestry has arrived in Britain for the first time in around 1,000 years. The French government agreed to lend the famous artwork to the British Museum in London. It will go on public display there from September 2026 until mid-2027.

The tapestry is about 70 metres long and was made in the 11th century. It tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Normally, it is kept at a museum in Bayeux, northern France.

Before the move, staff practised the transport in a special exercise. The British Museum has a team with experience in caring for old textiles. The French Ministry of Culture owns the tapestry and approved the loan.