The British Museum's Bayeux Tapestry exhibition has opened, with the embroidery now on public display in the UK for the first time since it was created nearly 1,000 years ago.
Via the BBC, people were queuing outside the British Museum this morning (10 September) to see the 70-metre-long masterpiece
Depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the work has been loaned to the British Museum from September 2026 until July 2027 as part of a historic agreement with France.
The tapestry, which dates back to the 11th century, is displayed flat for the first time, and in one continuous length, in a special show case.
When tickets to the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition went on sale on 1 July, the British Museum recorded the biggest ticketing day for any exhibition in its history.
After opening ticket sales to the public, more than 65,000 people joined the online queue. Via the Independent, over £2.5 million was generated through ticket sales, the museum reported.
Although tickets are sold out until the end of this year, the British Museum will release more tickets on 21 October for dates between January and March 2027.
This will be followed by another release in January for dates between April and July 2027.
Tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry
Tickets to see the monumental embroidery are priced from £25 to £33 depending on the date and time of the visit.
"The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important surviving works from the medieval world and an extraordinary account of a defining moment in our history," Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said in a previous statement.
"Since we first announced this historic loan, we have been committed to ensuring as many people as possible can see it, and we're excited about welcoming the first visitors through the doors on the 10th of September."
