Council calls for Bayeux Tapestry priority booking for district residents

Today (Friday 4 September) we are calling for all Canterbury district residents to be offered priority booking to view the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum.

Such an offer is available to the people of Hastings and Rother due to the Bayeux Tapestry’s links to these areas, but Canterbury district has not been included, despite it being widely considered that it was made here.

We are asking for this anomaly to be put right as soon as possible.

Council Leader, Cllr Alan Baldock, said: “Canterbury has been at the heart of the nation’s storytelling history and heritage for centuries.

“Geoffrey Chaucer, Christopher Marlowe, Aphra Behn, Joseph Conrad, Mary Tourtel, W Somerset-Maugham as well as Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate, who created Bagpuss and the Clangers, among many, many others, all came from the city, lived here or were inspired by it.

“The fact the Bayeux Tapestry forms part of that rich story-telling history is a source of enormous pride to everyone in this part of Kent.

“Without Hastings, there would be no tapestry to celebrate and the very same is true of our great city.

“It’s always the workers, especially women, that are forgotten! In this case, it’s Canterbury’s embroiderers.

“We call on the British Museum to extend its offer of priority tickets to our residents too otherwise it is one in the eye for them, just like it was for poor old Harold.”

Image courtesy of the British Museum website.

Published: 4 September 2026