TICKETS released to the public to visit the Bayeux Tapestry alongside the Chew Valley Hoard at the British Museum have sold out on the first day.

The once-in-a-generation show will see the 70-metre Bayeux Tapestry return to England for the first time in nearly 1,000 years.

More tickets are due to released by the British Museum later in the year for the exhibition that features coins from the internationally significant Chew Valley Hoard.

Director of the British Museum, Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE said: “We’ve been amazed by the response to The Bayeux Tapestry, with today becoming the biggest ticketing day for any exhibition in the British Museum’s history.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and the patience of those in the queue yesterday. We look forward to welcoming you all to the museum in September when get to unveil this unique show.”

The Bayeux Tapestry is being hosted by the British Museum alongside the internationally significant Chew Valley Hoard.
The 70-metre Bayeux Tapestry is being hosted by the British Museum in an exhibition starting this September. (Bayeux Museum)

The British Museum’s experience will place the Tapestry within the wider story of the Norman Conquest, bringing together objects from its own collection alongside carefully selected loans from UK and European partners.

Among these is the Chew Valley Hoard, a remarkable collection of silver pennies of Harold II and William I, loaned from the South West Heritage Trust and Somerset Council museum collection, supported in this project by major funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund.

Buried in Somerset shortly after the Norman Conquest, the hoard is believed to have been hidden for safekeeping during unrest in the South West, including the 1068 rebellion that saw Exeter “fight for its liberty” before being suppressed by William.

South West Heritage Trust head of development and partnerships, Dylan Edgar, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the British Museum’s historic show.

“The Chew Valley Hoard provides a powerful insight into the immediate impact of the Conquest and will help to tell the story of this turning point in English history.”

Somerset Council’s lead member for communities, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, said: “This is wonderful and exciting news. Somerset is being honoured by being part of the British Museum’s show, sitting alongside the iconic Bayeux Tapestry.

"I hope it will encourage more people to see the hoard in London and when it returns to the Museum of Somerset.”

The South West Heritage Trust is part of The British Museum National Programme working with partners across the UK to ensure audiences across the country can engage with the story of the Bayeux Tapestry.

The Chew Valley Hoard was acquired by the South West Heritage Trust for the Somerset Council museum collection thanks to major funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The acquisition was further supported by Art Fund and funding from South West Heritage Trust, Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society and the Friends of the Museum of Somerset.

The Bayeux Tapestry Experience is open 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027 and has been made possible by the generous support of Igor Tulchinsky.

Further tickets will be made available via the British Museum website at: https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/bayeux-tapestry