Bayeux Tapestry to Return to England After Nearly 1,000 Years
Historic loan sees iconic embroidery displayed at British Museum as part of UK-France cultural exchange
The Bayeux Tapestry, one of the most famous and significant works of medieval art, will return to England for the first time in over 900 years.
The 70-metre-long embroidery, which depicts the Norman invasion and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, will go on display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027.
The tapestry is being loaned to the UK by France as part of a major cultural exchange. In return, British treasures such as the Sutton Hoo collection and the Lewis Chessmen will be sent to France. The move has been welcomed as a powerful symbol of the deep historical ties between the two nations.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the return of the tapestry “is a symbol of our shared history with our friends in France, a relationship built over centuries.” French President Emmanuel Macron praised the collaboration, calling it “a fascinating human exchange” that highlights cultural connection.
Widely accepted to have been made in England in the 11th century, likely at the request of Bishop Odo of Bayeux, the tapestry has been housed in France for centuries. Its return will form part of a wider season of cultural events in 2027, marking the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror.
British Museum Director Nicholas Cullinan called the exhibition “an extraordinary opportunity,” adding that it will be the first time the tapestry has returned to the UK since its creation nearly a millennium ago.