Where the famous Battle of Hastings unfolded in 1066
Battle in the southeast of England is in the heart of the East Sussex countryside and is a tranquil and beautiful town. You’d find it a struggle to envisage the thundering troops from England and France, battling it out with each other on 14th October 1066.
Today an air of serenity rests across the battlefield masking the scene where the Battle of Hastings took place. It’s here where William, Duke of Normandy defeated King Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, on his own turf.
![The Pin image from our post - 'A day trip to Battle Abbey, East Sussex, England'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Pin4.jpg)
Where is Battle, East Sussex
Need a car?
The entrance to Battle Abbey
The Great Gatehouse![The twin-towered medieval gatehouse of Battle Abbey.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Great-Gatehouse-from-the-inner-courtyard-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
The Abbey and Battlefield are lovingly preserved by the ‘English Heritage’ and kept in impeccable condition.
Immediately on hand as you wander beyond the Gatehouse are welcoming faces ready to answer all your Battlefield questions.
English Heritage
Useful things to know
- 2021 Pricing; Adult £13.90Children £8.40Concessions £12.50 – All include Gift Aid.
- Ideally, wear comfy shoes if you are going to walk the full tour.
- Onsite café is available and also a picnic area if you wish to bring your own lunch.
- Play area for children
- Check opening times, as Battle Abbey is only open weekends in the winter.
![The view from the side of the stone medieval Great Gatehouse of Battle Abbey.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Great-Gatehouse-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
Views over the Battle of Hastings
Head to the rooftop![The view over the town of battle from the roof of the Great Gatehouse.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/View-from-the-Gatehouse-with-Battle-below-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![The view to the east from the roof of the Great Gatehouse.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/View-from-Gatehouse-rooftop-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![The Battle Abbey Sword, BThe Battle Abbey Sword, Battle Abbey, East Sussex,, English Heritage, Visit Englandattle Abbey, East Sussex,, English Heritage, Visit England](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Battle-Abbey-Sword-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5-1.jpg)
![A display of a replica helmet worn by the Normans on a stand that can be tried on.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Replica-helmet-of-the-battling-troops-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
The story of the Battle of Hastings
The invasion unfolds![The outside of the visitors' centre and coffee shop.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Visitors-centre-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![Looking up at the end of the gatehouse walls from the eastern end.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gatehouse-walls-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![Looking along the shrub lined Precinct Wall at the boundary of Battle Abbey](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Precinct-Wall-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
A visit to Battle Abbey
An act of contritionBattle Abbey was built by William the Conqueror, and it was believed to be in penance for the bloodshed during the Battle of Hastings.
Today very little of the original abbey remains; however, with the shell of the dormitory commanding such a presence, it creates an incredibly calming atmosphere.
![A view of the remains of the Abbey dormitory in the distance.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Battle-Abbey-Dormitory-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![Standing inside the remains of the Abbey dormitory looking up at a deep blue sky.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Battle-Abbey-ruins-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![Looking down into the space under the dormitory with its low vaulted ceiling.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Vaulted-Common-Room-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![A close-up of the columns under the Abbey dormitory.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Pillars-in-the-Battle-Abbey-Common-Room-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
Learning about the Battle of Hastings
King Harold is defeated![An open-air view of the area where the Battle Abbey high altar once stood. The boundaries are marked out with grass, and an information board gives more details of the original layout.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Battle-Abbey-High-Altar-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![The stone represents the spot where King Harold died, Battle Abbey, East Sussex,, English Heritage, England](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-stone-represents-the-spot-where-King-Harold-died-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5-1.jpg)
![The sunken remains of the Battle Abbey Crypt with the Abbot's house in the background.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Battle-Abbey-Crypt-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
Where to stay in Battle, East Sussex
The legacy of the Battle of Hastings
The Abbot’s House![The looking across to the dormitory ruins and the Abbot's House.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Abbots-House-and-Dormitory-ruins-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![The neatly manicured lawns in front of the Abbot's House.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Abbots-House-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
Tour of Normandy
Exploring Battle Abbey
There’s more to discover![A view of a meadow in front of the small octagonal thatched Victorian Dairy building.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-Diary-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![Looking through the door of the Dairy building.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Inside-the-Dairy-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![The brick interior of the deep pit of the icehouse.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Inside-the-icehouse-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
During the winter, ice would have been collected from the surrounding ponds. It was then stored in the icehouse, for use in the dairy the following summer.
The dairy was built in the Gothic style and is adorned with a pretty thatched roof.
![A pear tree espaliered against the edge of the walled garden.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Pear-tree-in-the-walled-garden-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
Tempted to?
Discover the Battle of Hastings
The BattlefieldJust over 950 years ago, two already combat scarred nations faced each other across the battlefield, this was to become one of England’s most important battles.
William the Conqueror and his Norman troops and cavalry came face to face with King Harold’s army on 14th October 1066, in the Battle of Hastings.
![A wooden statue of a kneeling archer aiming in the direction of the Abbey from the edge of the battleground.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Wooden-carved-archer-on-the-Battlefield-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![The view of the battlefield towards the Abbey across the undulating landscape.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/On-the-Battlefield-looking-up-to-the-abbey-ruins-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![Looking through the foliage, across the battlefield toward the Abbey ruins.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Battle-Abbey-Dormitory-ruins-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
![A wooden bridge through the wooded area as part of the path around the battlefield.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Strolling-through-the-woodland-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
If you don’t mind mingling with sheep (and they certainly don’t mind you), I highly recommend you walk the full tour around the battlefield.
The route is marked along the way by storyboards detailing how the day unfolded for both the French and the English.
![A wooden statue of a Norman soldier on horseback looking across the battlefield towards the Abbot's house.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Cavalry-heading-into-battle-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
Alternate route
A changing of the guard
William the Conqueror![A view across the battlefield.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Where-the-Battle-of-Hastings-unfolded-Battle-Abbey-East-Sussex-English-Heritage-Visit-England-V5.jpg)
Hiking the East Sussex Countryside
Battle is located in East Sussex, nearby the seaside town of Hastings and the historic village of Robertsbridge. This region of Sussex is ideal for hikes as it is in the High Weald (AONB), an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To explore the trails in this region of East Sussex, the Ordnance Survey map that will help you along the route is no. 124, ‘Hastings & Bexhill’.
Alternatively, why not purchase and download the OS Maps App, which covers all of Great Britain.
Our video of the Battle Abbey
And the battlefieldWe have created a little YouTube video of Battle Abbey Why not take a look?
Also, why not subscribe to our YouTube channel and get the latest clips as we post them?
How to get to Battle, East Sussex
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