Accessibility

Explore the Bayeux Tapestry
in the way that works for you

Accessibility is being built into the main website, with additional support for blind, low-vision, keyboard and screen-reader users.

Our accessibility approach

We are rebuilding TheBayeuxTapestry.com towards WCAG 2.2 Level AA. The aim is for the ordinary website to be accessible to as many people as possible, rather than requiring disabled visitors to use a separate or reduced version of the site.

Additional tools and specialist experiences will sit alongside the main site, including an audio-described guide to all 58 scenes, now available from the scene-by-scene page.

Keyboard users

The shared navigation, menus and controls are being designed to work without a mouse.

  • Use Tab and Shift + Tab to move between controls.
  • Use Enter or Space to activate buttons and links.
  • Use Escape to close supported menus.
  • A visible focus indicator shows which control currently has keyboard focus.

Screen-reader users

Pages are being rebuilt with proper headings, landmarks, labelled controls and meaningful image descriptions.

  • A Skip to main content link is available at the start of each redesigned page.
  • Navigation menus expose whether they are open or closed.
  • Meaningful images are being given useful text alternatives.
  • Longer visual descriptions will be provided where a short alt description is not enough.

Low vision and colour vision

The imagery remains available. Accessibility should not mean removing or downgrading the visual material.

  • Pages are being tested for text enlargement and browser zoom.
  • Colour contrast is being reviewed across the site.
  • Important information should not depend on colour alone.
  • The scene viewer will retain high-quality imagery while adding accessible controls and descriptions.

Audio-described 58-scene tour

The scene-by-scene guide now includes a dedicated audio-described tour alongside the original imagery and written scene information.

  • An introduction explains the embroidery's layout, colours, borders, inscriptions and visual conventions before Scene 1.
  • All 58 scenes have individual audio narration describing the visible embroidery before moving into interpretation.
  • The narration includes the Latin inscriptions and English translations, with uncertainty identified where the evidence is not secure.
  • The original scene imagery remains available, with keyboard-operated image controls and meaningful image descriptions.
  • A second narrator option is being prepared; the current narration remains available while that work continues.

Status: the full 58-scene audio tour is now available; further refinement and testing continues.

Current accessibility status

Work is still in progress

We are not currently claiming that every page and downloadable document on this website fully conforms to WCAG 2.2 Level AA.

Now working on the 58-scene guide:

  • Meaningful scene-image descriptions have replaced basic labels such as “Scene 1”.
  • The scene-image viewer is keyboard operable, with accessible zoom, fit, close and pan controls.
  • Larger-text and high-contrast viewing options are available without removing the original imagery.
  • The audio-described introduction and all 58 scene narrations are available directly from the scene guide.
  • Audio stops when visitors leave a scene using its Back control, and only one narration plays at a time.

Work still underway includes:

  • Completing and adding the optional second narrator voice.
  • Continuing manual review of scene descriptions, controls, focus order and colour contrast.
  • Reviewing older pages for heading structure, landmarks and keyboard behaviour.
  • Auditing downloadable PDFs for reading order, tags, document structure and image alternatives.
  • Testing pages at high zoom and with a wider range of assistive technology.

We are replacing pages progressively so that accessibility improvements can be tested without disrupting the whole website at once.

Standards we are using

Our technical target is WCAG 2.2 Level AA. This covers accessibility for people with visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive and other disabilities.

We are also reviewing the site in light of the accessibility duties that apply to service providers under UK law and the accessibility requirements relevant to services offered in the European Union.

Meeting accessibility requirements is treated as an ongoing process rather than a one-time software installation.

Explore all 58 scenes Return to the homepage

Tell us if something is difficult to use

If you find an accessibility problem, cannot access information on this website, or need content in a different format, please tell us.

Email: support@thebattleofhastings.co.uk

If possible, include the page you were using, what went wrong, and the browser or assistive technology you were using. You do not need to tell us the nature of your disability.

Accessibility statement last reviewed: 2 October 2026.