Perhaps the most famous picture story in history, the Bayeux Tapestry is an extraordinary, embroidered account of the Norman Conquest and the events that changed England’s future forever. And from September 2026 until July 2027, the Bayeux Tapestry will be on display in Britain for the first time – don’t miss your chance to see it up close in all its hand-stitched glory.
Across nearly 70 metres, the Bayeux Tapestry brings one of the country’s most dramatic invasions to life. The textile treasure weaves together the people, politics and power struggles behind the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and charts the rise of William the Conqueror, whose victory united England and Normandy under one ruler.
As the only surviving visual narrative of the last successful invasion of England, it offers a vivid glimpse into the lives, struggles and culture of the 11th Century. Yet the mediaeval masterpiece is far more than a school history lesson on epic military battles and royal betrayals.
Over the last 1,000 years this diplomatic propaganda tool has been fought over by everyone from Napoleon to the Nazis, each determined to use history as a weapon to rewrite their own destinies.
The Bayeux Tapestry’s visit to the UK presents the ideal opportunity to use this millennium-old guidebook to discover many of the very places where the Norman Conquest played out. From the legendary battlefield to Norman castles, let the tapestry lead you through the landmarks, landscapes and lasting legacy of 1066 Country.
