The British Museum will present "Tapestry of Trees," an outdoor installation by garden designer Andy Sturgeon, ahead of its historic exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry. The installation, on view from May 16 to June 2, 2026, recreates a medieval woodland using plants native to East Sussex, including silver birch, hazel, hawthorn, and field maples, evoking the landscape of the Battle of Hastings depicted in the tapestry. Dyed hessian wrapping on planters and root balls echoes the colors and textures of the embroidery.
The installation matters because it serves as a prelude to the British Museum's major presentation of the Bayeux Tapestry, on loan from the Bayeux Museum in Normandy from September 2026 to July 2027, while also previewing the museum's broader redesign of its welcome pavilions and gardens, set for completion in 2027. By connecting the tapestry's botanical imagery to a living landscape, the project bridges historical art and contemporary garden design, enhancing visitor engagement with one of the most famous medieval artworks.