Bayeux Tapestry

I have done a couple of cross stitch panels patterned on this and have them in our lounge. I just love it but it is too far for us to go and look at the real thing. I loved embroidering it,too. Thank you Bothy threads!

We went to see it many years ago on a trip to France. I was astonished at how long it was. Seemed to go on forever.

I would love to see it again, but the ticket prices are very high. I don’t think I’ll go, as it would cost me over £100 for the day, if I include fares, etc., and I don’t have that sort of money anymore.

I'd be very interested for anyone who is seeing it in London, and who has seen in France, to offer us a comparison. I'm not sure it will look as good, being displayed completely flat?

In France it was displayed, if I remember correctly, vertical and in a long , long curve. Subtle lighting also.

We saw it in France, I was amazed by its intricacies. I’d class it as one of the wonders of the world, well worth seeing.
I hope they display a pictorial version to see while queuing as they do in Bayeux, the slots for seeing the actual tapestry are apparently only 40 minutes. It’s such a long tapestry that there might not be enough time to study it in detail.
We shan’t bother to go but DSs are planning to take the GCs.

I’m going ! Cannot wait 😍

I saw it in France too, the line of people had to keep moving faster than expected. It was long, very detailed and interesting and I would have liked to have had more time .
I believe some of it was done by British needle women from Canterbury.

There’s a free to enter exact copy in the museum in Reading.
Well exact except for a pair of shorts that the Victorian embroiderers added to the naked man….

As LeslieL says, WHY NOT instead go to see the exact copy which for years has been at the READING Museum?? From memory, I'm not sure what the town of Reading (maybe 'city' by now?!) has in terms of other attractions, but the Tapestry is terrific, and will take a while if you really study it.

As I recall, the British Museum isn't that great with popular exhibitions that draw a big crowd, plus the prices will dent your purse/wallet? So if it's in reach, try the one in Reading instead?

I saw the Bayeux Tapestries years ago in France and won't bother to see them in the British Museum. Apart from the expense of getting there, I find BM exhibitions overcrowded.

Son was at Reading University - lots of examples of the works of the Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse around the town. And for country hicks like me - there is a John Lewis!

I saw it just before it was taken down in Bayeux last year. (I'd seen it probably 10 times prior to that because I used to take school parties there every year).

What will be interesting will be the level of security in the BM. In Bayeux, you could walk round without seeing any security officials in attendance, and admission on the door was quite casual too. I'm guessing London will be on the look out for terrorists and paint sprayers and that security will be very visible.

I'm guessing London will be on the look out for terrorists and paint sprayers and that security will be very visible.

I jolly well hope so, I wouldn't trust Just Stop Oil and the like to respect the history and importance of the tapestry.

Or Michael Caine to organise a heist!
Though he must be getting on a bit now.

Sadly I have to agree. Security will have to be on the ball in London. So many ignorant protesters who may have a just cause but have no respect for history, for law and order or for their fellow citizens.
I wonder what Allira would say about this. Whether she agrees or disagrees it would be done politely, with humour and from a place of knowledge.
Please bring her back.

😂

Wrong emoji- sorry

I imagine it will be safely behind glass to protect it from being touched, or deliberately damaged.

Yes, it has to be temperature controlled inside the casing.

I saw it in France but will go and see the copy again in Reading.
For anyone who would like to spend a day in Reading there is plenty to do apart from the shops. The Abbey Ruins are an easy walk from the museum and are usually very peaceful. Various open air drama productions take place in the summer. This year it is Hamlet from 15 th to 25th July with Northanger Abbey at a date in August. Then there are Forbury Gardens not far away for relaxation.
The museum has its own cafe/restaurant which I believe is quite good. In fact we could have a GN meet up there if several people came on the same day. Buses and trains are not far away. In fact everything is very central.

I took my children to see it in France back in the 90s, I asked if they would be taking their children to London to view it but apparently they decided that that was my job as I’d explained it all so well to them all those years ago. I suspect the price of admission is something to do with this flattery .

I'm planning to see it. I'll use my Senior Railcard and it will be a good day out. I might even go twice, if it's really busy the first time.

We saw it in France about 40 years ago. I thought it was beautiful but we had 4 children with us so maybe didn't truly appreciate it. We will try to see it again.

I accompanied many school trips to Normandy including the D-Day landing beaches and the Bayeux tapestry, so I don't think I'll go to see it now.
I love just as much the Overlord Embroidery in the D-Day museum in Southsea, Portsmouth, a stunning work. It tells the story of the D-day landings and echoes the Bayeux tapestry.
Go and see that too, or instead.