Two Bayeux Tapestries. One unforgettable journey. Plan your visit to Reading today!
From 2026 to 2027, Europe will mark 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror with the European Year of the Normans. Across the continent, countries with Norman heritage will come alive with festivals, exhibitions, and unforgettable experiences.
Discover Reading’s Norman Story
Reading will proudly showcase its rich Norman legacy with a vibrant programme of special events centred on Britain's Bayeux Tapestry and Reading's royal abbey. Timed to coincide with a historic moment - the loan of the original Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum in September 2026 - our town will be at the heart of this extraordinary year. More details of the programme will appear on this page in spring 2026.
A tale of Two Bayeux Tapestries, One Incredible Journey
For the first time ever, visitors can see both Britain’s and Normandy’s Bayeux Tapestries in England in the same year. Even better, they’ll be less than an hour apart on the Elizabeth Line - making Reading the perfect destination for your Norman adventure.
William's legacy
The Year of the Normans reaches from Normandy across Europe. The story of the Normans shaped lands far beyond their original borders - from the English coast to the Scandinavian fjords, from the green hills of Ireland to the sunlit Mediterranean shores.
In 1066, William the Conqueror became King of England, embedding Norman influence deeply in British culture, language and architecture. These connections are especially strong in Reading and Royal Berkshire. A story that comes alive in Reading's famous full-size Victorian version of the Bayeux Tapestry in its magnificent entirety. Reading's tapestry celebrates it's own 140th anniversary in 2026.
William owned Reading and gave land here to Battle Abbey, that he had founded to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. In 1121 William's youngest son King Henry I founded his own royal monastery, Reading Abbey, where he was buried in 1136.
Plan your visit now!
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to step into history and experience the Norman story like never before:
- Visit Britain's Bayeux Tapestry at Reading Museum
- Book a Tapestry guided tour to get even more out of your visit
- Discover Reading's historic Abbey Quarter
- See Jane Austen's school and King Henry I's burial site on an Abbey Quarter tour
- Explore Reading’s Norman heritage through guided tours, exhibitions, and family‑friendly events.
- Combine your trip with a visit to the British Museum to witness the original Bayeux Tapestry.
- Enjoy local hospitality, dining, and cultural experiences that bring the Norman story to life - find out more on the Visit Reading website
Plan your trip to Reading and be part of the European Year of the Normans!
