British Museum Creates Medieval Woodland for Bayeux Tapestry Loan

From May 16 to June 2, 2024, the British Museum will unveil a woodland installation named "Tapestry of Trees" in its forecourt, in anticipation of the historic Bayeux Tapestry loan. Designed by garden designer Andy Sturgeon, the installation incorporates 37 silver birch trees alongside planters filled with woodland grasses and perennials, reflecting the 11th-century East Sussex landscape of the Battle of Hastings from 1066. The planters and rootballs are dyed in hues of blue, yellow, and red to complement the tapestry's palette. This installation marks the beginning of public programming for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition set to open in September, which will center on the Norman Conquest of England. By 2027, the British Museum aims to transform its forecourt into a Mediterranean-style botanical garden featuring "Welcome Pavilions," a project backed by Camden Council despite criticism from conservationists. The Bayeux Tapestry, a 230-foot textile, is being loaned from the Bayeux Museum in Normandy, currently undergoing a $40 million renovation. The loan was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2023, igniting discussions regarding the transport and insurance of the 1,000-year-old artifact, valued at £800 million ($1.1 billion).