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 September 2026 it's at the British Museum. Tickets go on sale 1 July — here's what you need to plan ahead.
The Bayeux Tapestry hasn't left Normandy in almost 1,000 years. From September 2026 to July 2027, it's in London at the British Museum — the first time it's been in the UK since it was made. Tickets go on sale 1 July. Given the expected demand, that's not a date to miss.
When do tickets go on sale?
1 July 2026 — the first public ticket release covers September to December 2026. Two further releases follow: October 2026 for January–March 2027, and January 2027 for April–July 2027. British Museum Members get priority access from June.
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. Book the morning of 1 July.
Where to book
Our take: Book direct on the British Museum website — this is not an exhibition where third-party options add value. Prices to be confirmed before 1 July.
The Bayeux Tapestry guide — scene by scene
- The 7 scenes most visitors walk past without understanding what they show
- Where Halley's Comet appears — and what Harold's face says about it
- The moment the tapestry's story turns: how to spot it in the first minute
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.
What should you look for?
Halley's Comet (Scene 32, 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.
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.
The border figures. 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.
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.
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.
Book when 1 July opens. BM Members access from June. If you're considering membership (£75/year), this is the year it earns back immediately.
- Exhibition
- The Bayeux Tapestry · Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery · British Museum
- Dates
- September 2026 – July 2027
- Tickets on sale
- 1 July 2026 (Sep–Dec dates) · Further releases Oct 2026 + Jan 2027
- Admission
- Adults: price TBC (to be confirmed before 1 July) · Under-16s free with paying adult
- Members
- British Museum Members book from June 2026 (before public)
- Getting there
- British Museum · Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG · Tube: Holborn or Tottenham Court Road
- Official site
- britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/bayeux-tapestry
Ticket prices and full exhibition details will be confirmed ahead of 1 July — check the official site.
Last verified: April 2026
Frequently asked questions
When do Bayeux Tapestry tickets go on sale at the British Museum?
1 July 2026 for September–December 2026 dates. Further releases in October 2026 and January 2027. BM Members book from June 2026. Book early — 7.5 million visitors expected.
How much are Bayeux Tapestry tickets at the British Museum?
Adult pricing not yet confirmed (April 2026). Under-16s free with a paying adult. Check britishmuseum.org for prices when confirmed before 1 July.
Where is the Bayeux Tapestry in 2026?
At the British Museum, London, September 2026 – July 2027. 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 when the 1 July window opens, and see the full British Museum visit guide for everything else on site that day.
Last verified: April 2026