Biddenden Vineyards partners with the British Museum to create a limited-edition mead inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry

Biddenden Vineyards is delighted to announce an exclusive collaboration with the British Museum, producing a limited-edition mead celebrating the extraordinary story, craftsmanship and cultural legacy of the Bayeux Tapestry.

Created to coincide with the British Museum’s exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry, this special mead brings together two distinctive strands of British heritage: the tradition of English winemaking and the ancient craft of mead-making, inspired by a work of art that has captivated audiences for almost a thousand years.

Made in Kent by Biddenden Vineyards, this limited-edition mead has been developed as a contemporary celebration of the flavours and traditions associated with medieval England. Presented in a wine style bottle with a label inspired by the visual language of the Bayeux Tapestry, it offers visitors and collectors an opportunity to take home a distinctive piece of the exhibition experience, and those looking for an unusual gift connected to one of the most significant stories in British history.

“The Bayeux Tapestry is an extraordinary record of storytelling, craftsmanship and history,” says Tom Barnes, General Manager at Biddenden Vineyards. “We are delighted to work with the British Museum to create a product that connects that remarkable heritage with our own family vineyard history and Kent’s long tradition of growing, making and celebrating English produce.”

The collaboration reflects the enduring appeal of the Bayeux Tapestry, whose embroidered scenes tell the story of the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The limited-edition mead takes inspiration from this rich historical context while being firmly rooted in contemporary English production.

A much loved, traditional drink made using modern methods, fruits & honey are fermented before being sweetened with fine honeys, giving a deep amber colour and creating a deliciously rich, aromatic and full flavoured pyment style wine.

The mead will be available to buy exclusively from the British Museum during the exhibition period.

About Biddenden Vineyards

Kent’s original Vineyard, Biddenden Vineyards was founded by the Barnes family in 1969 and is now run by the second and third generation. The vineyard produces a range of award-winning still and sparkling English wines, ciders and juices, combining traditional techniques with a modern approach to English winemaking.

About The British Museum

The British Museum is one of the world’s great museums, dedicated to human history, art and culture. Its collection spans millions of years and brings together objects from across the world, providing a unique record of human civilisation. Founded in 1753 and opening its doors in 1759, it was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge, open to visitors from across the world.

About The Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry is an extraordinary, embroidered narrative depicting the events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Stretching for almost 70 metres, it combines images and Latin text to tell one of the most famous stories in European history. For the first time since it was made nearly 1,000 years ago, the Bayeux Tapestry is returning to England and will be loaned to the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027.

 ENDS