Museum news

This article is from Current Archaeology issue 434

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Melsonby Hoard to go on display

The largest hoard of Iron Age metalwork yet found in the UK is to go on display in a new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum, just 80km (50 miles) from where it was excavated.

The Melsonby Hoard was discovered in 2021 near the North Yorkshire village of the same name (see CA 423), close to the known Iron Age stronghold of Stanwick. Its more-than 800 items include iron tyres and other parts from at least seven chariots or wagons; elaborate horse gear; cauldrons; and impressively long ‘parade’ spearheads.

Following its recovery (which won CA’s Rescue Project of the Year Award for 2026), the hoard was acquired by the Yorkshire Museum thanks to a successful public fundraising campaign (donations to support the ongoing conservation work are still welcome; see http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ save-the-melsonby-hoard).

The finds are now set to go on public display in Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard, which will run in York from 15 May 2026 until summer 2027. For more details, see http://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk.

Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold

Another new exhibition, running at Battersea Power Station in London until 31 May, showcases almost 200 objects associated with the reign of Ramses II (also commonly spelled Ramesses), a 19th Dynasty pharaoh who ruled Egypt c.3,200 years ago.

Today known as ‘Ramses the Great’, he was one of ancient Egypt’s longest ruling pharaohs, launching ambitious military campaigns and monumental building projects (and fathering an estimated 100 children) during his 67-year reign.

Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold explores the king’s achievements, his talent for self-promotion, and his lasting legacy through displays of artefacts loaned by the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, many of which have never left Egypt before. Visitors can view ornately carved sarcophagi, mummified animals, jewellery and amulets, and royal masks, and the exhibition culminates in an immersive virtual-reality experience. See http://www.ramsestheexhibition.co.uk/london for more information.

Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum

The first tranche of tickets for the British Museum’s upcoming Bayeux Tapestry exhibition will go on sale on 1 July 2026. These will be for entry on dates between September and December 2026; there will then be two further ticket releases in October (for January-March 2027) and January (for April-July 2027).

The exhibition (which runs from September 2026 until July 2027) marks the first time that the 70m-long (230ft) embroidery has returned to Britain since it was made almost 1,000 years ago. Demand for tickets is expected to be very high (the British Museum will be dedicating special opening hours for British schoolchildren to ensure as much access as possible), and those interested in visiting are advised to sign up to the museum’s newsletter to receive ticket updates; see http://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/bayeux-tapestry to do this, and for more information on the displays.

New exhibitions

Cleopatra: the experience
Until 12 July 2026
Immerse LDN, London
https://cleopatraexperience.co.uk/london

The Saxons
Until 1 November 2026
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury
http://www.discoverbucksmuseum.org/whats-on/the-saxons-an-immersive-exhibition-in-buckinghamshire

On the Line: 100 years of strikes and solidarity
Until 2 November 2026
People’s History Museum, Manchester
https://phm.org.uk/exhibitions/on-the-line

Cornish Myths and Legends
Until 1 November 2026
Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery, Truro
https://cornwallmuseum.org/exhibition/cornish-myths-legends