The Bayeux Tapestry is returning to the UK for the first time in 900 years

The Bayeux Tapestry is believed to have been created in Kent

The Bayeux Tapestry, which illustrates the famous Battle Of Hastings of 1066, will return to the UK for the first time in more than 900 years.

It's part of an agreement due to be signed between the French and British governments.

The deal will see the tapestry arrive in the UK at the British Museum next year on loan from France.

The British Museum, which is in London, will loan items to France in exchange, including seventh century Anglo-Saxon artefacts discovered at the Sutton Hoo ship burial site in Suffolk.

The culture secretary Lisa Nandy, said: "The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most iconic pieces of art ever produced in the UK and I am delighted that we will be able to welcome it here in 2026.

"The British Museum is one of the world's most visited museums and is a fitting place to host this most treasured piece of our nation's history."

The 70-metre-long tapestry is more than 900-years-old

The 70-metre-long giant embroidered image, which is more than 900-years-old, shows the well known battle which saw William The Conqueror take the English throne from Harold Godwinson, becoming the first Norman king of England.

The tapestry is widely accepted to have been made in England during the 11th century after a bishop from Bayeux requested for it to be made.

It's been on display in several locations across France since then, including the Bayeux Museum in Normandy most recently.

The British Museum will loan items to France including Anglo-Saxon artefacts like this one discovered at the Sutton Hoo ship burial site

"The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations," said the director of the British Museum Nicholas Cullinan.

"It is hard to overstate the significance of this extraordinary opportunity of displaying it at the British Museum.

"This will be the first time the Bayeux Tapestry has been in the UK since it was made, almost 1,000-years-ago."

The tapestry will be displayed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery of the British Museum in September next year until July 2027.