Bayeux Tapestry's £1.2 Million VIP Journey to London Sparks Controversy
The British Museum is preparing to spend a staggering £1.2 million to transport the historic Bayeux Tapestry across the English Channel, with the priceless artefact receiving a police escort and a VIP ride on the Eurotunnel LeShuttle. This marks the first time in 950 years that the 1,000-year-old embroidery will leave France, as it travels from the Bayeux Museum in Bayeux to London for a landmark exhibition starting in September.
Elaborate Transport Plans and Safety Measures
The 70-metre tapestry will be placed on its own dedicated train during a nighttime journey through the Channel Tunnel. To ensure the fragile piece is not damaged, a test run is scheduled over the coming weeks. The tapestry is currently stored in a confidential location in France within a specially designed crate, having been removed from the Bayeux Museum last September.
French police will escort the artefact to Calais this summer, where it will be laid out on a train travelling at a carefully controlled speed to minimise vibrations. Control will be officially handed over to the British Museum midway across the Channel, after which Kent Police will escort it by road from Folkestone to London.
Exhibition Details and High Costs
Upon arrival, the tapestry will be delicately removed from its crate and placed in a custom-designed display case, estimated to cost around £600,000. This case will maintain a micro-climate and keep the artefact still, with 24-hour monitoring by staff. It will be exhibited flat in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, rather than in the U-shape used in Bayeux, in a windowless room to prevent sun damage.
Tickets for the 10-month exhibition go on sale on July 1, with prices yet to be finalised. The museum anticipates between 750,000 and one million visitors, comparing it to past blockbuster shows like Tutankhamun in 1972 and the Terracotta Warriors in 2007. The overall exhibition cost, previously estimated at £2.6 million, has risen sharply, with transport alone accounting for £1.2 million.
Political and Cultural Backdrop
The loan was first suggested in 2018 between French President Emmanuel Macron and then-Prime Minister Theresa May, but only came to fruition last year. Macron announced in July 2025 that the tapestry, which depicts the Norman invasion of 1066, would be loaned to the UK until July 2027 as part of a cultural exchange. In return, treasures such as artefacts from Sutton Hoo and the Lewis chess pieces will be sent to museums in Normandy.
Safety Concerns and Criticism
Despite the meticulous planning, the move has faced significant opposition. Artist David Hockney has labelled it "madness," calling it a "vanity" project by the British Museum. An internal museum document, obtained by The Sunday Times via a Freedom of Information request, describes the tapestry as "the most complex object the museum has ever borrowed...a once in a millennium loan," highlighting the risks involved.
Financial Safeguards and Insurance
The tapestry will be covered by a UK Treasury indemnity of approximately £800 million during the loan, protecting against damage or loss. The Treasury has provisionally approved this valuation, with officials expecting the final figure to be around £800 million, though they declined to comment further. Meanwhile, the Bayeux Museum is undergoing renovations set for completion upon the tapestry's return in September 2027.
This article has been updated to clarify that the transport involves Eurotunnel, not Eurostar, which is unrelated to the plans.
