Bayeux Tapestry

Murphybear

For those interested in our great history.

The French Government is lending the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum in 2026.  Our PM has signed an agreement with Macron 

In exchange, treasures from the British Museum that represent all four nations of the UK – including Sutton Hoo and the Lewis chess pieces – will travel to museums in Normandy, France.  

The BM is obviously very excited about this and expects it will be their most popular exhibit ever.  This will be the first time it will have been over here in nearly 1000 years . There will be a charge but further details not available yet.

I can remember visiting the Museum to see Tutankhamums mask in 1972.  You had to queue up to get in, then queue up to walk round then when you finally got to see the mask you weren’t allowed to hover.  It was amazing though, a bit smaller than I was expecting.  

maman

For information, there is an excellent Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry in Reading Museum which is well worth a visit.

Reading probably isn't the first place that comes to mind for a day out but we had a great time there. The Abbey ruins and the Oscar Wilde connections were all of interest as well as the rest of the museum exhibits. 

singhini

@Murphybear
thanks for posting this :thumbsup:

Gov news link here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bayeux-tapestry-to-go-on-display-at-the-british-museum-in-2026

Murphybear

singhini said:

@Murphybear
thanks for posting this :thumbsup:

Gov news link here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bayeux-tapestry-to-go-on-display-at-the-british-museum-in-2026

I think that’s where I may have seen it. 

Slinky

If you're wanting to see the Sutton Hoo treasures after they've gone on loan to France, there are very good replicas at Sutton Hoo itself. Mrs Pretty who was the owner of the land at the time they were discovered donated them to the nation, hence why the originals are in the BM and the replicas are at Sutton Hoo. A really interesting place to visit.

Murphybear

Slinky said:

If you're wanting to see the Sutton Hoo treasures after they've gone on loan to France, there are very good replicas at Sutton Hoo itself. Mrs Pretty who was the owner of the land at the time they were discovered donated them to the nation, hence why the originals are in the BM and the replicas are at Sutton Hoo. A really interesting place to visit.

Thanks Slinky.  Unfortunately it’s over 300 miles from where we live so probably won’t go there 🙁

singhini

@Slinky
Thanks

130 miles for me so possible 

leonard_455

That does sound amazing! I think the Bayeux Tapestry will be a huge draw, just like Tutankhamun’s mask was back then. I imagine the queues will be just as long this time too. Definitely something worth seeing in person though – can’t really compare to pictures in a book.

martindow

There have been recent reports in the French press that the tapestry is too fragile to consider taking on the journey to London.  You might have to settle for Reading!

Murphybear

martindow said:

There have been recent reports in the French press that the tapestry is too fragile to consider taking on the journey to London.  You might have to settle for Reading!

😿😿😿.      

The Guardian has quite a detailed article on this.   It seems it’s Macron who is very keen and the conservationists who are definitely against 

Grumpy_chap

Murphybear said:

I can remember visiting the Museum to see Tutankhamums mask in 1972.  You had to queue up to get in, then queue up to walk round then when you finally got to see the mask you weren’t allowed to hover.  It was amazing though, a bit smaller than I was expecting.  

Unlike 1972, queues to view the Bayeux Tapestry might well be virtual and the crowds actually at the venue far less.