An exhibition exploring Norman Exeter has opened at the city’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) to celebrate the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain this year.

RAMM is one of 60 organisations across the country that have joined the “Bayeux Around Britain” programme to tell the story of the tapestry and the history surrounding the Norman invasion.

The exhibition runs from September 15, 2026 to July 11, 2027 and will showcase items associated with the Bayeux Tapestry and Norman Exeter alongside digital assets from The British Museum. A series of events will also be held over the next 12 months including a nationwide crafting celebration inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry.

There will also be a series of talks on Norman Exeter and Devon on October 3, given by expert speakers from the University of Exeter. One of the speakers, Professor Ollie Creighton, has previously written about Okehampton Castle.

Cllr Lucy Findlay MBE, Exeter City Council lead for city and culture, said: “We're delighted that RAMM is part of the Bayeux Around Britain programme. Exeter has a unique connection to the story told by the Bayeux Tapestry, and this display offers a wonderful opportunity to explore that history through objects from RAMM's collection. It's especially encouraging to see young people helping to curate the exhibition and interpret our heritage for new audiences.”

The talks are part of an all-day event titled Conquered: Norman Exeter and Devon, which has sparked the interest of many. Places are already fully booked but anyone interested can contact [email protected] and ask to be added to the waiting list.

The Bayeux Tapestry is a 70-metre-long piece telling the story of the conquest of England in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy. The embroidery, in wool thread on linen cloth, was created in the UK and dates to the 11th century. Through 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses, it gives an account of the medieval period in Normandy and England. It also provides historians with information about civil and military architecture, armour and seafaring in the Viking tradition, as well as precious details of everyday life.

For more information about the exhibition, visit: https://rammuseum.org.uk/whats-on/bayeux-around-britain/.