Year of the Normans 2027: Discover England’s Norman heritage
England is joining other European nations to mark 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror. The star of the show: the Bayeux Tapestry, which crossed the English Channel for the first time since it was created nearly 1,000 years ago, will go on display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027.
But that’s not all. Take your pick from a jam-packed events calendar, from behind-the-scenes tours to battle re-enactments, period music and medieval pageants. Discover how the Normans reshaped England and how their legacy lives on in the castles and cathedrals today. Whether you’re at the heart of the action in Hastings or enjoying the celebrations in Newcastle, Carlisle or Exeter, you’re in for an incredible year of history.
What events are taking place for the Year of the Normans?
More Year of the Normans events in England
Hastings Norman Heritage Trail
Follow this new route from Hastings railway station to its castle, celebrating the town’s Norman heritage. Look out for themed banners designed by local artists along the way.
When? 28 August 2026 – 28 February 2027
Where? Hastings, East SussexThe Bayeux Tapestry at North Lincolnshire Museum
Can’t make it to London to see the Bayeux Tapestry in person? The British Museum’s Bayeux Around Britain project brings the epic artwork to cultural venues around the UK, including in Scunthorpe, where you can get up-close to large-scale projections.
When? 21 November 2026 – 3 May 2027
Where? Scunthorpe, LincolnshireTaste 1066 at The Crown
Rabbit and potage are on the menu at this Hastings pub, offering you a taste of Norman and Saxon cooking.
When? December 2026 – December 2027
Where? Hastings, East SussexGuided tours of Bristol Cathedral’s Norman heritage
Lift the curtain on Bristol Cathedral’s Norman past with an expert guided tour of this sacred site.
When? 1 March – 31 October 2027
Where? BristolWallingford: Turning Point 1066
Explore Wallingford’s decisive role in the Norman Conquest thanks to its 1066 events programme, including ‘The Crossing of the King’: think Viking longships, medieval processions and lively entertainment.
When? 2 March – 30 November 2027
Where? Wallingford, OxfordshireStone Rivers
Enjoy a film and dance performance from artist Freya Marton, featuring intricate medieval paper costumes.
When? 5 March 2027
Where? Berwick-upon-Tweed, NorthumberlandThe Norman and Medieval Tour of Carlisle
Let Sir Hamo, knight and clerk of the royal kitchen, be your guide to Carlisle in this exciting walking tour, where you’ll learn how William the Conqueror’s family changed the city forever.
When? 26 March – 9 April 2027
Where? Carlisle, CumbriaDigital Bayeux Tapestry at Tullie House Museum
See a different side to the Bayeux Tapestry with this digital experience as part of the Bayeux Around Britain project, along with films telling the tapestry’s story.
When? 22 May – 6 July 2027
Where? Carlisle, CumbriaReading Abbey Quarter Tour
Get to know Reading’s Abbey Quarter and its connections to both Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, and author Jane Austen, on these informative tours.
When? 6 June – 26 September 2027
Where? Reading, BerkshireBattle of Evesham Re-enactment Festival
Cheer on the warring knights at England’s largest 13th-century battle re-enactment in the Worcestershire countryside.
When? 7 – 8 August 2027
Where? Evesham, WorcestershireNorman treasures of Selby Abbey
Join Dr Chris Tuckley for an enlightening talk about Selby Abbey’s remarkable Norman features, as well as 12th-century manuscripts and texts linked to its past.
When? 1 September 2027
Where? Selby, North YorkshireRoger de Montgomery and the Normans
Get to know Roger de Montgomery, trusted childhood friend of William the Conqueror, and find out his role in East Sussex under William’s reign at Arundel Museum – and don’t miss the town’s castle either.
When? 4 September – 23 December 2027
Where? Arundel, West SussexMusic@Malling
Celebrate England’s Norman heritage through British and French music from across the centuries, with performers including Ensemble Variances, The London Sinfonietta and Marian Consort.
When? 24 September – 3 October 2027
Where? West Malling, KentOld Winchelsea: A Norman Enclave since 1017
Discover Old Winchelsea’s role in the run-up to the Conquest, when it was one of the most important ports between Southampton and London, with a programme of talks and displays.
When? 1 – 31 October 2027
Where? Winchelsea, KentLa Traversée
Retrace the voyage of William the Conqueror’s ship to Pevensey from France.
When? 6 – 10 August 2027
Where? Pevensey, East Sussex‘William the Conqueror’ play
Get your tickets for the national tour of a new play from RABBLE Theatre, visiting venues across England throughout 2027. More details to be announced.
Plan your visit to England in the Year of the Normans
Where can I see the replica Bayeux Tapestry?
Where can I see the replica Bayeux Tapestry?
Missed out on tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry’s visit to the British Museum? Well, you’re in luck – there’s a full-sized Victorian replica on display at Reading Museum. Crafted by 35 skilled women in 1855, the replica is 70 metres long and a faithful reproduction of the original down to the last stitch.
Historical places to visit for the Year of the Normans
Norman castles in England
Norman cathedrals and abbeys in England
More historic Norman sites in England
Explore the story of 1066
The Year of the Normans marks 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror. But what did the Normans ever do for us? They reshaped the landscape of medieval England – quite literally – with their castles and cathedrals, as well as transforming our government, culture and society.
Let’s rewind to 5 January 1066, when the elderly English king Edward the Confessor died. This triggered a chain of events leading up to the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, between Harold Godwinson, King of England, and Duke William of Normandy, or William the Conqueror. When Harold was killed, William took the throne of England – and life in England was transformed.
Today, you’ll see nods to Norman England everywhere. Visit Pevensey, where William first established his foothold after landing in 1066, walk the battlefield at Battle, or snoop around Norman castles and cathedrals in Dover, Rochester, Canterbury, Lincoln and Durham.