Ask Onix
UK government to underwrite historic tapestry during London display
The Treasury has agreed to insure the Bayeux Tapestry against damage for an estimated £800 million while it is exhibited at the British Museum next year, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Loan details and insurance arrangement
The 70-metre-long embroidered cloth, which depicts the 1066 Battle of Hastings, will travel from France to London under a bilateral government agreement. Coverage for its transport, storage, and display will be provided through the Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS).
A Treasury spokesperson stated that without the long-standing scheme, public institutions would face prohibitively high commercial insurance costs, making such loans financially unviable.
Concerns over artefact's condition
Some French art historians have raised concerns about the nearly 1,000-year-old tapestry's fragility, arguing it is too delicate for transport. French officials have dismissed these worries, insisting the move is safe.
The Treasury has provisionally approved an initial valuation for the indemnity, though the loan will not be finalised until a definitive appraisal is completed. The Financial Times reported the final valuation is expected to reach £800 million, a figure the Treasury did not contest when approached by the BBC.
Exhibition timeline and cultural significance
The Bayeux Tapestry will be displayed in the British Museum's Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery from September 2026 until July 2027, coinciding with renovations at its permanent home, the Bayeux Museum in France.
The masterpiece, comprising 58 scenes, 626 figures, and 202 horses, chronicles the Norman Conquest of England and the ascension of William the Conqueror, marking a pivotal moment in Anglo-French history.
Government Indemnity Scheme's role
The GIS, established in 1980, enables UK museums and galleries to host high-value artworks that might otherwise be inaccessible due to insurance costs. The scheme is estimated to save institutions approximately £81 million annually compared to commercial premiums.
In exchange for the Bayeux Tapestry, the British Museum will lend France several significant artefacts, including 7th-century Anglo-Saxon treasures from the Sutton Hoo burial site and the 12th-century Lewis chess pieces.
