Tens of thousands queue online to book first Bayeux tapestry tickets

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People hoping to buy the first tickets to see the Bayeux tapestry at the British Museum have faced online queues of up to nine hours. At one point over 750,000 people were waiting to book. The medieval embroidery will go on display from September 2026 until July 2027 while its usual home in Normandy undergoes renovations. In return, the UK is loaning France several items, including the Sutton Hoo helmet. The Bayeux tapestry has not been in England since the 11th century. Its return promises to be a major cultural event, but it is not without controversy. Art critics in France have argued the 70m artefact is too fragile to travel, and campaigners tried to block the loan in court. It will be transported to England in an aluminium crate that regulates heat and temperature. This will be suspended within a cage to protect it from bumps.