Bayeux Tapestry: British Museum announces ticket sales dates for London exhibition
Millions of people are expected to flock to London for a rare opportunity to witness the historic Bayeux Tapestry, with tickets for the exhibition at the British Museum going on sale in July.
This means the iconic artwork has been exhibited on British soil for the first time in nearly 1,000 years.
Approximately 7.5 million visitors are expected to view the 70-foot-long tapestry, making it one of the museum’s most popular tourist attractions ever.
George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum’s board of trustees, praised the tapestry as “a defining part of our nation’s history and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The first tickets for entry between September and December will be available on July 1.
Subsequent releases are planned for October and January, covering monitoring periods from January to March and April to July 2027, respectively.
Former Conservative Chancellor Mr Osborne said: “This will undoubtedly be the biggest year in the museum’s history – we expect 7.5 million people to visit as the Bayeux Tapestry returns to British soil for the first time in 1,000 years.
“This is a defining part of our nation’s history and truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I hope people will mark their calendars and get the chance to see what promises to be an extraordinary moment for the country when it comes.”
The tapestry depicts the Norman invasion of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, when William the Conqueror took the English throne from King Harold and became the first Norman king of England.
The survey for the museum reveals that more than three-quarters of the public (76 per cent) believe “1066 is an important part of British history and people should learn more about it”.
Meanwhile, four in five (82 per cent) support school trips and encourage museum visits to see the tapestry while in the UK.
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said: “The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important cultural artefacts of the medieval world and a source of inspiration and wonder for generations.
“It is difficult to describe how exciting and rare the opportunity to exhibit tapestry in the UK is.
“I am delighted that we can now all share in the excitement as people book their tickets and travel to London to attend what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest cultural events the British Museum has hosted in centuries.”
To celebrate Thursday’s announcement, a special advert appeared at Piccadilly Circus in central London, featuring Mr. Cullinan and Mr. Osborne along with the French ambassador, Helene Duchene.
The work has been exhibited at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in Bayeux, Normandy, France, since 1983.
The site is currently closed for renovations and will return there once the tapestry is finished.
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