Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum 2026: Tickets, Dates & What to See

The Bayeux Tapestry hasn't left Normandy in almost 1,000 years. From 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027, it's in London at the British Museum — the first time it's been in the UK since it was made. The first ticket release has already sold out, so the next window is the one to plan for.

Are tickets sold out?

The first release — 10 September to 31 December 2026 — sold out after tickets went on sale on 1 July. Two further releases are coming: January–March 2027 dates open in October 2026, and April–July 2027 in January 2027. Sign up to the British Museum newsletter to catch them, and note that Members and Patrons get priority booking.

Up to 7.5 million visitors are expected over the run. The BM's biggest previous exhibitions — Tutankhamun, Ming Dynasty, Vikings — sold out well in advance, so set a reminder for the October and January releases rather than hoping for returns.

What is the Bayeux Tapestry?

It's not technically a tapestry — it's a 70-metre embroidery in wool thread on linen, created in the 1070s to tell the story of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Fifty-eight scenes, 626 characters, 202 horses, and one Halley's Comet. It has been in Bayeux since at least the 15th century. The museum there is closed until October 2027, which is why the British Museum loan exists.

How long is the Bayeux Tapestry?

Nearly 70 metres, and the exact figure is disputed. The Bayeux Museum in Normandy, its usual home, states 68.3 metres; most accounts round it to 70. The height varies as well: the original linen is 50cm tall, and backing fabric added in later conservation pushes it to 70cm in places. At the British Museum it hangs in a straight line rather than the U-shape used in Bayeux, so you walk the whole length end to end.

What should you look for?

Where is Halley's Comet in the Bayeux Tapestry?

Scene 32, in the upper border. After Harold's coronation, a crowd of figures points upward at a streaking object. The comet was an omen — an alarm. The artist placed it immediately after the coronation rather than in its correct historical sequence (it appeared four months later). The rearrangement was deliberate.

What is Harold's oath to William?

Early in the tapestry, Harold swears an oath on holy relics to support William's claim to the throne. The scene is small. What matters is that the English audience watching this embroidery would have understood immediately: everything that follows is framed as Harold breaking his word.

What do the border figures show?

Below the main narrative runs a continuous border of animals, fables, and figures that comment on the action above — some satirical, some obscure, some still unexplained after 950 years. Most visitors ignore the borders. Don't.

What happens in the Battle of Hastings sequence?

The last 15 metres accelerate — horses fall, shields splinter, figures are cut down in detail that has no parallel in contemporary art. The final scene is missing. The tapestry ends abruptly, and nobody knows what was on the piece that's gone.

How does Harold die in the Bayeux Tapestry?

The figure below the words Harold Rex interfectus est is struck in the eye by an arrow, and that image has shaped nine centuries of retellings. The British Museum's own account complicates it: the arrow is a later addition, probably 19th century, and the original figure held a spear. Most written sources from the period say Harold was hacked down in the fighting rather than shot. The tapestry is why everyone pictures the arrow, and the arrow may never have been stitched by the people who made it.

What do most visitors wish they knew about this exhibition?

The audio guide will be essential. Scenes build on each other — miss the oath in scene 23 and the battle sequence at the end loses its weight. At the Bayeux museum, guides were free in 16 languages. The BM's arrangement isn't confirmed yet, but carry earphones.

The layout is different from Bayeux. In France, the tapestry wraps in a U-shape. At the British Museum it's displayed in a straight line — 70 metres, walked left to right like a book.

The first window is gone — plan for the next release. September–December 2026 sold out; January–March 2027 dates open in October 2026 and April–July 2027 in January 2027. If you're considering membership (£75/year), this is the year it earns back immediately — Members book early and enter free.

Frequently asked questions

Are Bayeux Tapestry tickets at the British Museum sold out?

The September–December 2026 release sold out after going on sale on 1 July 2026. January–March 2027 dates open in October 2026 and April–July 2027 in January 2027 — sign up to the British Museum newsletter to catch them. 7.5 million visitors expected.

How much are Bayeux Tapestry tickets at the British Museum?

Adults £33 standard, £27 off-peak, £25 super off-peak. Concessions £25; National Art Pass £13.50–£16.50; under-16s free with a paying adult; Members free.

Where is the Bayeux Tapestry in 2026?

At the British Museum, London, 10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027, in Room 30. The Bayeux museum in Normandy is closed for renovation until October 2027.

How long does it take to see the Bayeux Tapestry?

45–60 minutes for the tapestry. The full exhibition with supporting displays takes 1.5–2 hours.

The Bayeux Tapestry will be back in Normandy by August 2027. Between September 2026 and July 2027, it's ten minutes from Holborn station. Book tickets at the British Museum — the September–December window sold out, so watch for the October and January 2027 releases — and see the full British Museum visit guide for everything else on site that day, or what to do near the British Museum for the rest of the afternoon.

Last verified: July 2026