The British Museum is set to unveil an enchanting outdoor installation titled "Tapestry of Trees," designed by renowned garden designer Andy Sturgeon. This initiative precedes the museum's highly anticipated exhibition of the historic Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman conquest of England.
Opening on May 16, 2026, and running until June 2, 2026, this installation aims to recreate the essence of a medieval woodland, featuring an array of plants and trees native to East Sussex, the site of the pivotal Battle of Hastings in 1066 CE. Visitors will experience a captivating entrance as they walk beneath a canopy of silver birch trees that grace the museum's forecourt. The forest theme continues with planters filled with hazel, hawthorn, field maples, ferns, and grasses, guiding guests through the colonnade to the main entrance.
Spanning an impressive 230 feet, the Bayeux Tapestry showcases 58 scenes intricately embroidered with colored wool on flax. This masterpiece not only narrates a significant historical event but also incorporates botanical imagery, using trees as narrative elements and visual pauses between scenes. Sturgeon's installation will reflect this botanical artistry, with planters wrapped in dyed hessian, echoing the tapestry's vibrant colors and textures.
Sturgeon expressed his vision for the project, stating, "The Museum is a vast monochromatic monolith, and I wanted the installation to be colorful and uplifting. The trees reach out towards the street entrance as if beckoning visitors to enter."
This installation serves as a precursor to the museum's broader redesign of its welcome pavilions and gardens, which is expected to be completed by 2027. The Bayeux Tapestry itself will be on display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027, on loan from the Bayeux Museum in Normandy, as that institution undergoes renovations.